Colonial Quills

"Under God we are determined that, wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever, we shall be called upon to make our exit, we will die freemen."  

Josiah Quincy (1774)

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8

This week in my personal devotions I have been reading through The Revelation of St. John the Divine (aka Revelation). How sweet my read last Sunday morning:

"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:10-11

How sweet to feel the Holy Spirit as I read those words. To, in my spirit, feel the pleasure of worshiping the Lord, and the precious hope of one day bowing before the Lord I love and worshiping with the angels, and to lift my voice with them and say:

"...Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13b

A very dear friend of our family is dying of cancer. She has only days left to live. Each day we pray and wonder if today may be the day God calls her home. We will miss her terribly. Yet, we know for her to go home to be with her Lord, to be free from the pain of cancer and the strains and worries of this life, is the greatest blessing she could ever receive.

None of us know when we will die. In my twenties I had a doctor tell me I could die at any time, if I was not careful. I've lived more than twenties years since then. I will go when God calls me home. No sooner. No later.

I'm thankful for the life I've had here on earth. What a trip! God has given me experiences few people have ever had. He's let me travel and meet people many have never met. He's shown me places few people ever see. He's been there beside me, revealing Himself to me, helping me to learn more about this glorious and wonderful grace and love He bestowed on me. Each sorrow, each trial, each failure, each tribulation brought Him and His grace in clearer focus.

When I make that final leg of the trip from this life into the next, I'll go rejoicing. I can't wait to see my Saviour's face and to cry in a loud voice:

"...Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12b

 To God be all glory, and honor, and praise!

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:4