Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:8 

 

Margie Morton, a woman of exceptional faith, battled cancer for years. Towards the end, her doctor wanted to send her to yet another hospital, with no real prospect of recovering. But having lived a full life, Margie decided to stay at home and share her remaining days with her family. When it was time, she told her husband she needed to go to the hospital. When she got there her family gathered around and prayed with her. Before they left they said, ‘We’ll be back tomorrow, Mum.’ She whispered, ‘You won’t find much.’ After they’d gone she showered, tidied her hair and put on a brand new nightgown. As she was getting back into bed a nurse remarked, ‘You look as if you’re dressed for a coronation!’ Margie replied, ‘I am, I’m going to meet my King.’ Within minutes she went to be with Jesus. What a way to go! That kind of faith enabled Paul to write, "the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award, not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Can you say that too? After Sir Walter Raleigh was beheaded, they found these lines written in his Bible: ‘But from this earth, this grave, this dust; My God shall raise me up, I trust.’ Raleigh maintained his faith to the end. That’s victory! That’s death without a sting! That’s the reality of Easter!