From Pilgrim’s Progress where the “river” is death:
Now I further saw, that betwixt them and the gate was a river; but there was no bridge to go over, and the river was very deep. At the sight, therefore, of this river the pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that went with them said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the gate.
The pilgrims then began to inquire if there was no other way to the gate. To which they answered, Yes; but there hath not any, save two, to wit, Enoch and Elijah, been permitted to tread that path since the foundation of the world, nor shall until the last trumpet shall sound.
Or, in the words of Wendell Berry’s, Burley Coulter:
We’ve all got to go through enough to kill us.
Ready?
Psalm 90:12, So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Jn 12:24
“Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Mt 10:29
“They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them.” Heb 11:37-38
“”Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:55
Thanks Paul. I preached the Hebrews verses on Sunday.
Wish I could have been there to hear the mind of God proclaimed in the power of the Spirit!
Selah.
Burley is sure right and sometimes it does take an awful long time!
Burley has it right. It does take a long time!
Bob, great to hear from the Burley Coulter of Keosauqua. I pray that your ankle surgery goes well.