THE DEPARTURE

 

OCTOBER 31

 
THE DEPARTURE

"For I am now ready to be offered, 

   and the time of my departure is at hand." 

                                            2 Timothy 4:6
 
Aged believer, the time of thy departure 

  will soon come;
  let not thy mind be exercised as to
    where thou shalt die,
     when thou shalt die, or
        how thou shalt die;
these are all minor matters,
 and ought not to affect thee.
 
Simply look at death as Jesus did, 

  as we read,
 "Jesus knew that his hour was come

    that he should depart out of this world 

       unto the Father" 
 
 
Why shouldest thou regret 

  to leave a world like this,
 where sin, sorrow, pain, grief, 

  disappointment, and anxiety 

    meet thee at every turn?
Or why be reluctant to go HOME,
   to go to thy Father?
 
Dost thou not want to see his face?
 to enjoy his company?
 to be perfectly happy in his presence?
 
What did I hear thee say,

   "If I should be mistaken?"

If I should presume?
Mistaken! How can you be mistaken?
 
Do you not renounce all hope in yourself,
   all dependence on your duties,
   and do you not trust on Christ alone?
 
Have you not sought his face,
  relied on his Word,
  trusted in his blood? Mistaken!
   why, if you are not right,
     what will make you so?
 
Do you say, "My sins, my imperfections, 

  my infirmities."
 
Knowest thou not, that sins confessed,

   imperfections deplored, 

    infirmities mourned over,
if accompanied with faith in Jesus,
 never kept a soul out of Heaven yet,
    and never will.
 
Do you say, "Presume," didst thou say!

What, is it presumption to believe thy Savior?

Is it presumption to take God at his Word,
and give him credit for speaking truth?
 
"Presumption!" It is presumption to doubt,
 when God has spoken so plainly.

 It is presumption to fear,
 when God has spoken so positively,
 It is presumption to want something 

   else to assure thee,
 when God has said:
"He that believeth hath everlasting life."
    And to you,  "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,

   and THOU SHALT BE SAVED."
 
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,

   according to thy word:      Luke 2:29

 JAMES SMITH 1869