Do not fear death – Thomas Brooks

(“A Believer’s Last Day, His Best Day”)

Death is not such as some would paint it.

Never mourn immoderately at the death of any believer. Death is not the death of the man but the death of his sin. Death is to them the greatest gain.

Remember this death does that in a moment, which no graces or duties could do for a man all his lifetime! Death frees a man from those diseases, corruptions, temptations, etc., which no duties or graces could do.

Do not fear death. Do not say of death, what that wicked prince said to the prophet, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” But rather long for death, not to be rid of troubles but that your soul may be taken up to a more clear and full enjoyment of God.

In life, we often find . . .
our comforts to be rare,
our crosses to be frequent,
our pleasures to be momentary,
our pains to be permanent.
Believers, your dying-day is your best day. Oh, then, be not afraid of death!

The Lord Jesus has, as it were, disarmed death, and triumphed over death. He has taken away its sting, so that it cannot sting us! We may play with it, and put it into our bosoms, as we may a snake whose sting is pulled out. Paul, upon this consideration, challenges death, and out-braves death, and bids death do his worst, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:55-57