Your dying day

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father
 has been pleased to give you the kingdom!"
    Luke 12:32

What little cause have the saints to fear death!
Are any afraid of going to a glorious kingdom?
What is there in this world that should make us
desirous to stay here? Is not this world "a valley
of tears"—and do we weep to leave it? Are we
not in a wilderness among fiery serpents—and
are we afraid to leave these serpents?

God is ever displaying the banner of His love in
heaven, and is there any love like His? Are there
any sweeter smiles, or softer embraces than His?
What hurt can death do to them—but lead them
to a glorious kingdom! Let this be a gospel
antidote to expel the fear of death.

Christian, your dying day will be your wedding
day—and do you fear it? Is a slave afraid to be
set free? Is a virgin afraid to be matched into the
crown? Death may take away a few worldly comforts
—but it gives that which is better; it takes away a
flower—and gives a jewel! If the saints possess a
kingdom when they die, they have no cause to
fear death. A prince would not be afraid to cross
the sea, though tempestuous—if he were sure to
be crowned as soon as he came to shore!

Faith gives a title to heaven—but death gives a
possession of heaven! Death brings us to the end
of our sorrow, and the beginning of our joy! Death
is the entrance into a blessed eternity!

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father
 has been pleased to give you the kingdom!"
    Luke 12:32