Swift to its Close

Spiritual help from the Bible for the terminally ill.

These pages have been written especially for you because you know you are ill. Not simply ill, but terminally ill, so far as human prognosis can ever be certain. They are written in the conviction that the Bible is the word of God, in which He has said all that He desires to say to us and all we need to hear. They are also written in the conviction that knowing we have not long to live wonderfully focuses the mind -- to bring before us past misdeeds, to raise the question of what is to become of us and to forbid us trifling with such issues. We need help and direction to handle such things.

These pages contain selections from Scripture, chosen to bring help as rapidly as possible to those whose needs are urgent because time is running out. They are designed to be read, one each morning and one each evening, with prayer. Because God is holy, His word is to be read reverently. It is holy ground. Ponder carefully. To that end, the author would encourage you to pick up your Bible and read the passages before you, and, if time is on your side, to continue reading. Read, not as you would read any other book, but to hear God speaking His word to you. Draw near to Him by so doing, and speak to Him from your heart in response.

It can be very lonely to be terminally ill. Most well people do not know what to say to you because they do not know what you may be thinking. You may feel they have withdrawn a little from you when you really want them to be closer. Nurses may do everything in their power to make you physically comfortable, and loved ones bring affectionate touches, but only the Lord God knows how to reach your innermost being, your soul. And, dear friends, this is the help you need most of all. It is the author's prayer that, while reading these pages and meditating upon them, you will draw near to God, and that the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, will draw near to you.

Many of you will have been true, believing Christians, perhaps for many years, and this book is designed to bring before you those words which will hold you steady in your faith. The Lord God desires to 'do us good at our latter end'. Some of you may not be sure of your spiritual standing, and are almost afraid to investigate further. These pages are designed to point you to the Saviour Who will help you in your predicament. Others may know that they have never believed, or may think themselves beyond the pale. Not so. Do not say to yourself, 'It is too late for me. How can I come to Him now after ignoring Him all the days of my strength?' While you are well enough to think and repent, time has not quite run out. Those who are 'snatched from the burning,' or rescued from drowning when it is almost too late, are especially precious to the divine Rescuer, for they were almost gone for ever, but have been preserved unto everlasting life. God, our Saviour, does not see it in our despairing way.

Maybe you are thumbing through these pages even though you are not terminally ill: not even remotely ill. You may find them helpful, too. For they set out the way of salvation, unfolding it here a little, there a little. One day death will come and it would be well to be prepared. It is always possible that death will come, not lingeringly, but suddenly, and it will be supremely important for you to have been prepared beforehand. At all events, the Scriptures teach us how to live as well as how to die.

COMPILED BY THE REVD MICHAEL HARLEY

First printing 1991
Second printing 1998
 

copyright Revd Michael Harley 1991

Used with permission

Bible in the Home

 

8 June 2007