THE LAST ENEMY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

AUGUST 2

 

1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

The Christian has many enemies, but through grace, he shall overcome them all.

 

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

 

Death is an enemy to kingdoms, cutting down the wise, the patriotic, and the philanthropic.

 

It is an enemy to congregations, removing the active, the benevolent. And the unprofitable hearer.

 

It is an enemy to churches, robbing them of their offices, their teachers, the youthful, the devoted, and the most zealous members.

 

It is an enemy to families, taking away the parent, the husband, the wife, the offspring.

 

It is an enemy to individuals, to saints, but especially to sinners.

 

It was an enemy to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

It is the last enemy.

 

The last in its introduction, Satan comes first, then sin, then death.

 

It is the last in its attack, we have disease, often age, and then death.

 

It is the last that will be destroyed, for God has decreed it, Christ has promised it, saints pray for it, the church anticipates it, and Jesus is coming to execute the judgment written.

 

But even now the saint may defy its power, be reconciled to its attack, long for its stroke, rejoice in its arms, and spring from its grasp to the enjoyment of glory.

 

O Lord! that I may thus depart,

Thy joys to share, thy face to see,

Impress thine image on my heart,

And teach me how to walk with thee.

 

James Smith