The opening of 2 Corinthians 5 is seasonable light and comfort in the presence of such a scene, when the body of a saint is paying the wages of sin, and taking the sentence of death into itself.
We are not, dear brother, kept only for the triumph that is to be shouted in the day of the resurrection. That will be blessed indeed: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" That triumph will be sung in the hour of the translation of the quick and the sleeping saints; but there is another triumph that faith celebrates beforehand, and it is this: "Absent from the body,... present with the Lord."
God, who has wrought us for the eternal house in the heavens, has even now given us "the earnest of the Spirit"; and that Spirit received from the living God is independent of both the earthly house of this tabernacle, and this house, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. It is spirit and faith; understanding it and its virtues, again I say, sings this triumph in the moment of the saint's departure: "Absent from the body,... present with the Lord."
It is not a grand, displayed, self-manifesting victory, I know. "We walk by faith, not by sight." Such a victory will be in the day of the resurrection, when the corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and death and the grave shall be spoiled of their prey (1 Cor. 15). But if not a displayed victory, it is a secret triumph; and faith sings (again I say) "Absent from the body,... present with the Lord"; yea, and in its exultation has this additional note of joy, "Therefore we are always confident."
What various strength and consolation are thus provided for us! What final victory, and what intermediate triumphs!—secret, but real—not submitted to sight, but sung and celebrated by faith. We want to live Himself a little more, surely we do. We want to know the Lord, with whom we look to be, as chief in the rising, kindling affections of our hearts; and then, whether it be the victory of the hour of the resurrection, or the triumph of the spirit in the hour of departing, we should then be more ready.
While our days on earth are lengthened,
May we give them, Lord, to Thee;
Cheered by hope, and daily strengthened,
May we run, nor weary be,
Till Thy glory,
Without clouds, in heaven we see.
Then in worship purer, sweeter,
Thee Thy people shall adore,
Tasting of enjoyment greater
Far than thought conceived before-
Full enjoyment,
Full, unmixed, and evermore.