The Soft Embraces of Those Sweet Arms
God's presence and help are available to us even in our darkest moments, and death is an entrance into the full glory and happiness of heaven.
Anne Dutton preaches a comforting sermon to parents, assuring them of the Lord's presence in their pains, sickness, and even in death. She emphasizes that Jesus, as their high priest, will lead them safely through the trials of life and into the promised land. Dutton reminds them that God's everlasting arms will support them, keeping their spirits from despair and ultimately leading them to eternal glory in the presence of Jesus where there is no sickness or pain. She encourages them to see death as a blessing, an entrance into a life of perfect holiness and happiness in the presence of the Lord.
Text
My very Dear and much Honored Parents,
Oh, my dear parents, your dear Lord Jesus will be with you in all your pains and afflictions through the infirmities of an advanced age. The Lord will make all your bed for you when sick. And when death comes, and no creature can help you, then, then will the Lord be your helper. He will never leave you nor forsake you; no, not in death's waters. Jesus, your high priest, will go before you, make a way for you, and bring you safely over Jordan into the promised land. The eternal God is your refuge; and underneath you, in your last trial, will be the everlasting arms.
These almighty arms will keep your spirits from sinking, when your bodies must fall by the stroke of death. The soft embraces of those sweet arms will refresh your souls, and ease the bitterest pains that your body may feel. And not the least pain, not the least sickness, that you endure to bring down your mortal frame, but will serve as a foil to set off that immortal glory you shall enter upon in Emanuel's land, where the inhabitant shall not say, "I am sick." There I shall shortly meet you. And let us remember that death comes to us as a blessing. Death to us will be an entrance into life! We shall never be free from sin, perfectly holy, nor fully happy--we shall never be as we would be, nor should be, until we see Jesus as He is!
Sermon Outline
- God's Presence in Affliction
- Jesus will be with us in all pains and afflictions
- The Lord will make our bed for us when sick
- Jesus will help us even in death
Key Quotes
“The Lord will make all your bed for you when sick.” — Anne Dutton
“The soft embraces of those sweet arms will refresh your souls, and ease the bitterest pains that your body may feel.” — Anne Dutton
“Death to us will be an entrance into life!” — Anne Dutton
Application Points
- We can trust God to be with us in all our pains and afflictions.
- Death is not something to be feared, but rather seen as an entrance into eternal life.
- We will never be fully happy or free from sin until we see Jesus as He is in heaven.