Sympathy

The Law of Life

Except a corn of wheat shall die, it shall abide alone—

These words begin the law of life, decreed by Heaven’s throne.

But if it die, from death itself the seed of life will spring,

And through the minor chords of death the song of life will ring.

We saw it in the cruel death of Christ upon the cross,

For by His death our hearts were purged from sin’s condemning dross

And we were born anew into the kingdom of God’s Son—

By that which seemed to be defeat, our victory was won!

We saw it in ourselves, when in our Saviour’s death we died,

And daily Christ commands that sinful self be crucified.

And yet that death is not an end—incredible, but true—

For now our Saviour lives in us and gives us life anew!

Now once again we’ve come to face the mystery of death,

For one we love lies silent, having neither life nor breath.

Shall we concede that life is o’er and sorrowfully grieve?

Oh, no! For death’s the door to Heav’n when we His grace receive!

And those of us who sorrow here may rest in comfort sweet

That there will come a time when we again this one will meet;

For, having merely passed beyond the earthly bounds of time,

Our loved one lives with Jesus Christ in peace and joy sublime!

May the sorrow of death be swallowed up in the joy of victory!

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:24-25

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:14-16

Dear Lord, one precious baby there with You belongs to me—
A perfect, tiny wonder whom I long so much to see.
So recently within my life my baby took a part;
And yet, my baby holds so large a place within my heart.

Today that place is empty—just a memory is there
Of sweet anticipation of a life I’d hoped to share.
‘Twas You Who took my baby home to be with You above;
Please may my empty, broken heart find comfort in Your love.

Remind me, in my loss, the child I love feels only gain—
For You saw fit to spare my child from sorrow, fear, and pain.
No tragedy will ever fall upon this little life,
No lonely moments, no distress from unkind words or strife.

Nor shall my baby ever feel the struggle from within,
For in my baby’s heart today there’s not a trace of sin.
Oh, loving Lord, Who chose to spare my child from all of this,
When heavy is my heart, just let me glimpse my baby’s bliss.

And may I joy in knowing that my baby is with You--
For living in your presence is what I, too, long to do!
So from this day, may this my new anticipation be:
One day I’ll see my baby who went home ahead of me!

May the comfort of God turn your sorrow to hope!

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. –I Corinthians 15:19-20

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. –I Thessalonians 4:13-14

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. –I Corinthians 15:54

As the sun sets here, it rises somewhere else.
So the end of time on earth is the beginning of eternity in Heaven.

Beside the casket of the one we love we stand today,
While loving memories fill our thoughts and prompt our hearts to say,
“No words could tell our heartache as you drew your final breath;
Our heads are bowed in loneliness and sorrow by your death.
Yet comfort grows as we recall that death has lost its sting,
For death has carried you to Christ, redemption’s song to sing!
And oh, the joy your heart must hold! What must that moment be,
When wondering eyes are lifted up, the Saviour’s face to see!
How glorious to feel the loving touch of His embrace,
To kneel at His majestic throne and thank Him for His grace!
These thoughts, like sunbeams through the clouds, our hearts with joy renew,
For though we sorrow for ourselves . . . we can’t be sad for you!”

May your personal loss be lessened by thoughts of your loved one’s gain.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. Philippians 1:23

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? I Corinthians 15:54-55