Dying Grace

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21

We sing about the joys of heaven
and how we long to go;
and understandably, we add,
“Some day—but not just now!”

We’ll spend our utmost, Satan said,
to live—yes, so it seems,
and heaven can wait, which we confess,
exceeds our wildest dreams! 

Within the providence of God
there comes a time to die;
why then should we, who know the Lord, 
so reluctantly comply?

We testify that Jesus is
our best friend, true and tried;
but mesmerized by this world’s charms,
forget we are His bride!

“O grave, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?”
Is this to us mere rhetoric—
words with a hollow ring?

“But I’m still needed in this world!”
Perhaps—to ease some woe,
but when our Lord says, “That’s enough,”
we should be glad to go.

And thanks to God, life can be good;
His grace we may employ;
if we commune with Him each day,
we’ll know His peace and joy.

“My times are in Thy hand,” dear Lord—
alike, in joy or pain;
and so, “For me to live is Christ—
to die—eternal gain!”

fpn /1995


Picture: depositphotos.com #15816415, standard license

The Stone Was Rolled Away

’Twas just before the break of day;
what grief their hearts had known!
“And who,” they questioned as they went,
“Will roll away the stone?”
By king’s command, the heavy stone
was guarded night and day;
but when these fainting souls arrived
the stone was rolled away!

Now, if you face a problem which
is more than you can bear,
and possibly a circumstance
no other one can share;
Friend, don’t despair, just trust the Lord,
and thank Him as you pray;
keep praising God, for soon you’ll find
the “stone” is rolled away.

fpn / undated

Published as poem #15 in Contemporary Psalms
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #13469994, Standard License

The Resurrection Day

Christ arose, no more to die

and His own to justify

in the dawning of that great

and glorious day;

when an angel from on high –

swift as lightening from the sky –

overwhelmed the guards

and rolled the stone away.

He arose, our blessed Lord,

in fulfillment of His word;

wondrous message, let us

evermore proclaim!

Where, oh death, is now thy sting,

and oh grave, thy victory?

We shall rise, for Christ arose,

Oh, praise His name!

On that resurrection day

when the shadows flee away

and the trumpet of the Lord

shall pierce the air,

what rejoicing there will be

when our Saviour we shall see

and with loved ones,

His eternal glory share!

Sweetest message, wondrous grace,

to the sons of Adam’s race;

“He is risen; come and see

where Jesus lay.”

Though death hovered o’er your head,

you are justified instead

from the guilt and debt

which none could ever pay.

There is life for you and me

by a look at Calvary;

there is pardon, peace

and cleansing through His blood.

Yes, we claim an empty tomb

and the future holds no gloom;

we shall rise, for Christ arose,

the Son of God!

On that resurrection day

when the shadows flee away

and the trumpet of the Lord

shall pierce the air,

what rejoicing there will be

when our Saviour we shall see

and with loved ones,

His eternal glory share!

fpn / undated

Published as poem #14 in Contemporary Psalms and as song #10 in Sing and Give Thanks
Contact Joyce if you would like a copy of the sheet music.

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #66235719, Standard License