God's Cure: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

You will catch me when I die

Some people die before they’ve ever really given it much thought. It caught them by surprise, and they were spiritually unprepared. Others who have been Christians their whole lives have been singing hymns about their death, have had catechism training about it, heard many sermons about it, and attended many Christian funerals where it was the chief topic of conversation.

And yet when death comes, it will always be something of a shock, and Satan will try to mess with our minds to sow doubt and disrupt faith at the last hour. Today would be a good day, and right now would be a great moment, to script the dialogue that you will have with God at that time. Here is the conversation Jesus had with his Father when he faced death (written by King David in prophecy): “My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave. . . . You have made known to me the path of life” (Psalm 16:9-11).

At your last hour remember that you will be judged not on the basis of your great holiness or stack of good deeds. You can come with empty hands, pleading for mercy for Jesus’ sake, and confident that no one who believes the gospel of Jesus’ forgiveness will ever be turned away.

Your heart really can be glad. Your tongue really can rejoice.