{"id":1388,"date":"2013-10-02T00:23:17","date_gmt":"2013-10-02T04:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jdackerman.com\/miscellany\/?p=1388"},"modified":"2013-10-02T00:23:17","modified_gmt":"2013-10-02T04:23:17","slug":"the-ultimate-painkiller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jdackerman.com\/miscellany\/2013\/10\/02\/the-ultimate-painkiller\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate painkiller"},"content":{"rendered":"

My mother of almost 60 years died tonight. Well, her body died anyway. She actually took one last shallow breath here on earth and and took her next breath in heaven. The change was so subtle we didn’t even see it happen, and had to get the nurse in to verify. One moment she was lying quietly, under the influence of painkillers, the next she was where she would never experience pain again. What a wonderful joy that brought to my heart, to think that this woman who had lived through constant pain most of her life was now pain free. She who had suffered greatly will suffer no more, but instead will\u00a0rejoice with her Savior forever.<\/p>\n

Those of you who have prayed for us and with us through these last months have been a tremendous source of joy. As Paul said to the Philippians, I thank God at every remembrance of you. It has been so wonderful to see visitor after visitor take time to say to Mom “Can we pray with you before we leave?” even when she couldn’t hear them. Thank you for your faith.<\/p>\n

I’ve written about this song before, “It Is Not Death to Die<\/a>“, and I’m sure I’ll write about it again. I wish I could sing it at Mom’s funeral, but I don’t think I’d make it through. \u00a0It’s a song about death, but it’s a song about life. It’s a song of tears, and it’s a song of joy. Most of all, it’s a song of the saving power of Jesus’ blood, and what faith in Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross gives us. If you have questions about this faith that Mom embodied, ask me. Mom would like that.<\/p>\n

It is not death to die,
\nTo leave this weary road,
\nAnd join the saints who dwell on high,
\nWho\u2019ve found their home with God.
\nIt is not death to close
\nThe eyes long dimmed by tears,
\nAnd wake in joy before Your throne,
\nDelivered from our fears.<\/p>\n

O Jesus, conquering the grave.
\nYour precious blood has power to save.
\nThose who trust in You
\nWill in Your mercy find
\nThat it is not death to die.<\/p>\n

It is not death to fling
\nAside this earthly dust,
\nAnd rise with strong and noble wing,
\nTo live among the just.
\nIt is not death to hear
\nThe key unlock the door
\nThat sets us free from mortal years
\nTo praise You evermore.<\/p>\n

O Jesus, conquering the grave.
\nYour precious blood has power to save.
\nThose who trust in You
\nWill in Your mercy find
\nThat it is not death to die.<\/p>\n

Original Words by Henri Malan (1787-1864). Translated by George Bethune (1847).<\/em>
\nMusic, Chorus and Alternate Words by Bob Kauflin.<\/em>
\n\u00a9 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.<\/em>
\nFrom Come Weary Saints. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.<\/em>
\nNorth American administration by Integrity Music. International administration by CopyCare International.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve read the lyrics and want a bit more, here\u2019s a link to a video on youtube.<\/p>\n