Death Is Conquered

Death is no respecter of persons. It is cold blooded. It struck me most graphically and painfully on Thursday 7th September when my brother Johnson passed away in my arms. When the last breath a tiny puff, not enough to shake a feather, left him, it signaled his departure. Such is the frailty of life. As he lay lifeless in my arms his body went cold. The icy hands of death had touched him and I wept.

In my hour of bereavement I take much comfort from the words of the 23 rd Psalm:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

In the message of this Psalm death has been conquered. And it is in light of that message that I extend heartfelt thanks to the many persons both in, and out of, Anguilla for their outpouring of sympathy and for their words of comfort in my family’s greatest hour of need.

It is appointed unto man once to die and after that the judgment. Let us be prepared.