As our Lord faced the terrible prospect of dying on the cross, He concluded the first Communion service with the singing of a hymn. By this He showed that believers can meet the "last enemy" with peaceful confidence when they have faith in God and His sustaining grace.

I remember hearing my parents telling about Grandpa Bosch's final moments on this earth. He had become afflicted with a serious heart ailment, and in spite of the doctor's best efforts to relieve his condition, he steadily worsened. After 3 trying days and nights, he realized that death was near.

Calling his children to his side, he lovingly spoke to each of them. Then he said, "Let's part with a hymn." His weak voice quavered as he sang these familiar words by Edward Mote:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand--
All other ground is sinking sand.

After a tender word of spiritual admonition, Grandpa closed his eyes and went to be with the Lord.

If we rely on Christ, we too will have that kind of peace when we come to the end of our lives.  — Henry G. Bosch