Yesterday I spent some time weeping with a good friend who is a member and deacon candidate at IDC.
Last week he and his wife found out their third child, a thirteen-week-old infant, has anencephaly. It’s a serious birth defect that means the baby, if it makes it to term, will not survive many hours out of the womb.
I weep at the consequences of sin. I weep for our Lord’s return.
But even through such pain we have faith, for death will not win.
Then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
So death, be not proud.
“Death, Be Not Proud” by Audrey Assad
Death, be not proud, though the whole world fear you:
mighty and dreadful you may seem, but death, be not proud—
for your pride has failed you— you will not kill me.
Though you may dwell in plague and poison, you’re
a slave to Fate and desperate men—
so death, if your sleep be the gates to heaven,
why your confidence?
You will be no more — you will be no more — you will be no more.
Even death will die.
Even death will die.
– Inspired by John Donne