By just doing a simple Google search, it is easy to see that many people have a fear of death. Rich Mullins’ song Elijah explores many concepts, but one in particular is that death is not to be feared. In fact, Rich almost seems to be looking forward to death:
When I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
As Christians, we should all have a healthy sense of “looking forward to death”. Paul describes it this way:
For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (Phi. 1:21 HCSB)
In other words, we don’t just sit around looking for ways to die. However, as a Christian, you have a reason to welcome death (eternity with Christ) and a reason to be alive (opportunities for Christ).
At many funerals, the 23rd Psalm is often quoted, recited, or printed in a bulletin to be handed out. In this Psalm, the 4th verse says:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; (NASB)
I have often looked at this scripture and noticed that it says the valley of the shadow of death, and not the valley of death. I think this is significant. Think about it this way. If you were walking down the center of the interstate highway, and a semi came up at 70 MPH and was about to hit you, that would be something to fear. Now, if you were walking on the shoulder of the highway, and that same semi came up, still doing 70, and its shadow hit you, then there would be nothing to fear. Personally, I would rather be hit by the shadow than the truck.
Christ came into this world, died on the cross, gave us salvation, and took the sting of death away:
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Cor. 15:55-57 ESV)
Elijah
The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through
My heart is aging I can tell
So Lord, I’m begging for one last favor from You
Here’s my heart take it where You will
This life has shown me how we’re mended and how we’re torn
How it’s okay to be lonely as long as you’re free
Sometimes my ground was stoney
And sometimes covered up with thorns
And only You could make it what it had to be
And now that it’s done
Well if they dressed me like a pauper
Or if they dined me like a prince
If they lay me with my fathers
Or if my ashes scatter on the wind
I don’t care
But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
There’s people been friendly, but they’d never be your friends
Sometimes this has bent me to the ground
Now that this is all ending
I want to hear some music once again
‘Cause it’s the finest thing that I have ever found
But the Jordan is waiting
Though I ain’t never seen the other side
Still they say you can’t take in the things you have here
So on the road to salvation
I stick out my thumb and He gives me a ride
And His music is already falling on my ears
There’s people been talking
They say they’re worried about my soul
Well, I’m here to tell you I’ll keep rocking
‘Til I’m sure it’s my time to roll
And when I do
When I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
‘Cause when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
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