Child of God, death has lost its sting because the devil's power over it is destroyed. There's no need to fear dying. Ask the Holy Spirit for grace, that by knowing and believing in your Redeemer's death, you're strengthened for that final hour. By living near the cross, you can think of death with peace and even welcome it with joy.

It's sweet to die in the Lord. It's a blessing to rest in Jesus. Death isn't banishment; it's a return home to the many mansions where loved ones dwell. The distance between the saints in heaven and believers on earth seems vast, but it's not. We are near to home—a moment will take us there.

The sail is set, your soul launched into the deep. How long will the journey be? How many winds will batter the sail before it's at the port of peace? How long before that soul arrives at a sea without storms?

"Absent from the body, present with the Lord," comes the answer. The ship departs and is at its haven. It merely spreads its sail and it's there. Remember the ship on Galilee's lake. Storm-tossed but calmed by Jesus' words, "Peace, be still," and it reached land immediately. There is no long wait between death and eternal glory.

When your eyes close on earth, they open in heaven. The horses of fire are instant on the road. Child of God, what is there to fear in death now that its curse and sting are destroyed by your Lord's death? It's just a ladder, starting in a dark grave but reaching up to everlasting glory.