Dying Grace
- ippmprisonministri
- Feb 21
- 14 min read
The Divine Strength That Carries Saints Home
Scripture Reference: – 2 Timothy 4:7 – Philippians 1:21 – Acts 7:55-56
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
“For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain”
“But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’”
Dying Grace is the final mercy of God to his children, granting peace, strength, and faith as life draws to a close, so that the believer can finish well, glorify Him in the last days, and depart in hope and joy.
Some Personal Reflection
Tonight we turn our hearts toward a subject many people would rather avoid, one often considered uncomfortable or even sorrowful to contemplate. Yet for the child of God, the theme of dying grace is not dark or discouraging, but deeply comforting and sacred. It is a truth meant to steady the soul and strengthen the heart when the time comes to stand before our Maker. What the world fears, the believer can face with quiet peace, for death in Christ is not defeat but homecoming, not loss but entrance into everlasting joy.
For those who are young, healthy, and strong, a devotional like this may seem distant, perhaps even unnecessary. Few willingly give serious thought to death or to the road that leads toward it. Yet life has a way of changing in a single hour. In one unexpected moment, a person may be brought face to face with eternity, whether prepared or not.
Scripture and experience both teach us that tomorrow is never promised, and the realities many ignore today may become deeply personal without warning. Wisdom, therefore, teaches us to reflect now, while strength remains, rather than waiting until the shadows lengthen and the body grows weak.
Over the past thirteen years since my own diagnosis, the Lord has gently brought my heart full circle. I have learned to live with the quiet awareness that He may call me home at any time. For some believers, the realization of their mortality can feel unsettling, especially when they recognize they have entered a season marked by uncertainty and frailty.
Yet God’s Word is filled with reassurance that death holds no terror for those who belong to Christ. Instead, we cling to the radiant promise that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. What the natural mind fears, faith learns to anticipate, because beyond the final breath stands the Savior who redeemed us.
During my years in prison ministry, I have walked through seasons of loss many times, standing beside brothers in Christ who finished their earthly race behind prison walls. When I think back on them now, sorrow is overshadowed by gratitude and joy. I remember the strength of their faith, the calmness in their final days, and the quiet assurance with which they stepped into eternity.
None of them faced death with terror or despair. Instead, they embraced the dying grace God supplied to them, meeting their Savior with peace, confidence, and even gladness of heart. Their testimonies still preach to me today, reminding me that the grace which saves a soul is the same grace that safely carries it home.
One of my great heroes of the faith, Charles Spurgeon, once said, “Christianity is the only religion in which God not only gives you strength to live well, but strength to die well.” What a remarkable testimony to the completeness of God’s grace. It sustains the believer not only through the trials and burdens of life, but also through the final step that leads into eternity.
The Lord does not abandon His children when their strength fails; He draws nearer. He does not grow distant as death approaches; He becomes more precious. The grace that began the Christian life is the same grace that finishes it.
The apostle Paul himself expressed this truth with unmatched clarity when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Fear never ruled Paul’s heart, and it need not rule the heart of any child of God who faces life’s end. Our gracious Lord reaches down to His people in their final days and grants what we call dying grace—a Spirit-given confidence that enables the believer to step forward in faith and meet the Savior.
We see this same grace in Stephen, who while being stoned prayed for his persecutors and committed his spirit into the Lord’s hands. Such scenes are not merely stories from Scripture; they are divine assurances that God gives special strength for life’s final hour.
Lord, tonight many of Your children stand closer to eternity than they realize, some perhaps only days or moments from glory. We humbly ask that You grant each one that precious gift of dying grace. Fill their hearts with peace, their minds with truth, and their lips with testimony, that even in their last hours they may echo the triumphant words of Your servant: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
May God grant each of you the tongue of the learned, that at just the right moment you may speak words of comfort, truth, and grace to those who stand on eternity’s threshold. For what greater privilege could there be than to point a soul to Christ just before they see Him face to face?
Introduction – When The Saint Approaches Glory
Life is brief. The writer of Psalms reminds us: “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow” (Psalm 90:10). Most of us are given roughly seventy years on this earth. Some, by God’s mercy, reach eighty. Yet, even those years are fragile, uncertain, and often filled with trials, pain, and sickness.
In prison, where days can feel long, and the passage of time is marked by routine and walls rather than freedom and seasons, the brevity of life becomes even more poignant. We are daily reminded that life is fleeting, and we cannot take a single breath for granted.
Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates a tender mercy toward His children at the end of life. This mercy is what I call dying grace—a gift from God that sustains the believer as they approach death, bringing peace, faith, and the assurance of His presence.
Dying grace is not just about a painless departure, but a spiritual readiness, a calm soul, and a heart fixed on Christ, no matter how weak or sickly the body may be. It is the same grace that allowed Moses to see the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, even if he could not enter it, and the grace that enabled Stephen, the first martyr, to look heavenward and see Jesus as he was being stoned.
It is the same unshakable grace that strengthens many of my brothers behind bars tonight—brothers who battle the relentless ravages of cancer, and others who endure the exhausting ordeal of dialysis three times a week, their lifeline to continue in this world. Even in the midst of pain, weakness, and suffering that seems endless, God’s grace upholds them, granting courage for each day, peace in each trial, and the quiet confidence that He walks with them through every moment of their struggle.
Many believers struggle with the question of suffering. Over the last decades, sickness and disease have been greatly misunderstood in the body of Christ. A common teaching today suggests that God never wants His children to suffer, and that by Christ’s stripes, all illness can be claimed for healing. While Christ’s sacrifice offers salvation, deliverance, and healing,
Scripture does not promise every believer freedom from sickness or disease in this life. Dying grace often comes in the midst of suffering, not in its absence. God sometimes allows illness, weakness, or disease, not to punish, but to draw us closer to Him, to teach us reliance on His Spirit, and to prepare our hearts for eternity.
Another question weighs heavily on the minds of believers: Is it wrong to long to be with the Lord? Paul faced this tension in Philippians 1:21-23: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labor; yet what I shall choose I know not. For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”
To long for God is not selfish or wrong; it is an expression of faith and hope in His promises. It is the soul acknowledging that its true home is not this world, but with the Lord.
Throughout history, God has shown His dying grace to many. Moses, Stephen, Paul, and David all experienced God’s sustaining hand as life drew to a close. In modern history, believers like Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher, suffered with chronic illness yet continued preaching the gospel until the day of his death, trusting in God’s strength and mercy to sustain him. This grace allows believers to glorify God, not just in their youth or strength, but in the weakness, frailty, and final hours of life.
Dying grace reminds us that God’s mercy does not abandon His children, even in death. Instead, it prepares the soul, strengthens the faith, and allows believers to finish the race with courage, peace, and hope.
Main Point #1 – The Brevity of Life and the Gift of Time
Scripture reminds us: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
God gives most of us seventy years, and some eighty. Each day, whether filled with freedom or confinement, is a gift to glorify Him.
Historical example: Moses, who led Israel for forty years, experienced the weight of time and recognized the brevity of life before entering eternity.
Reflection: Life’s brevity urges us to prioritize what matters: faith, obedience, and love. In prison, every day can be a tool for spiritual growth, prayer, and ministry to others.
Main Point #2 – Understanding Sickness, Disease, and God’s Sovereignty
Many believers misunderstand healing. Jesus healed many, yet Paul suffered “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). God did not remove it but gave him grace to endure.
Dying grace is often strongest amid illness. God’s mercy sustains the soul even if the body weakens.
Historical example: Charles Spurgeon suffered chronic illness yet continued preaching faithfully.
Reflection: Prisoners may face sickness with limited care; this is a chance to lean on God’s sustaining grace rather than despair. Trust God’s power even in weakness.
Main Point #3 – The Desire to Be With the Lord
Philippians 1:23 teaches us that longing for God is natural: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
It is not wrong to long for heaven. Rather, it is an expression of faith in God’s promises and hope beyond this life.
Biblical examples: David (Psalm 23:6), Paul, and Stephen. Stephen glorified God even while being stoned, seeing Jesus at the right hand of the Father.
Reflection: Even in prison, even in suffering, we can anticipate heaven and rejoice in God’s ultimate mercy.
Main Point #4. Glorifying God to the Very End
Dying grace allows believers to serve, praise, and glorify God until the final breath.
Practical ways: prayer, encouraging others, reading Scripture, forgiving, confessing sin, sharing testimonies.
Biblical example: Stephen, Paul, Moses. Historical example: John Newton continued ministry despite illness until his final days.
Reflection: God can use your final days, even behind bars, for His glory. Your words, prayers, and faithfulness can inspire others.
Prison Application
Daily Reminders: Reflect on Psalm 90:12 each morning: “Teach us to number our days.”
Encouragement in Weakness: Illness and confinement do not remove God’s grace. Pray for strength to glorify Him.
Hope Beyond Walls: Longing for God is not despair; it is hope. Memorize Philippians 1:21-23 and meditate on it.
Service to Others: Even in prison, dying grace can flow through acts of kindness, mentoring younger inmates, sharing Scripture, or praying with someone.
Final Thought – The Throne Still Stands Open
Dying grace is God’s ultimate mercy. It is His sustaining hand in weakness, His peace in trials, and His light in the shadow of death. Every believer, whether in freedom or confinement, can experience it. Life may be brief, sickness may linger, and the desire to depart may grow, but God’s grace never fails. Even in prison, your faith, hope, and love can shine. Let the end of life, the frailty of your body, and the certainty of death glorify God, and let your soul depart with joy, peace, and victory in Christ.
Beloved brothers and sisters behind prison walls,
If there is one truth you must carry with you when this devotional ends, let it be this:
Your access to God has never been revoked.
Men may have judged you. Courts may have sentenced you. Society may have written you off. Even your own conscience may still accuse you. But none of those voices has authority over the throne of heaven. The only voice that matters is the voice of God, and He has spoken clearly in His Word:
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…”
Not cautiously...
Not fearfully...
Not occasionally...
...BOLDLY.
The enemy of your soul will spend every day trying to convince you that prayer is useless, that God is distant, that your past is louder than God’s mercy. He will whisper that your failures have disqualified you. He will tell you that holiness belongs to other people — people with clean records, clean reputations, and clean histories.
But Satan is a liar.
If the throne were a throne of judgment for believers, then yes — we should tremble. But Scripture calls it the throne of grace. And grace means God gives what you do not deserve, welcomes those who feel unworthy, and strengthens those who feel weak.
The ground of your acceptance before God is not your record...
...It is Christ’s record.
...It is NOT your righteousness.
...It is His righteousness.
...It is NOT your worthiness.
...It is His finished work.
When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He did not mean His access to God was finished. He meant every barrier between sinners and God was finished.
The veil was torn.
The way was opened.
The invitation was written in blood.
And that invitation has your name on it.
You Are Not Locked Out of Heaven
Prison can make a person feel forgotten. Forgotten by friends. Forgotten by family. Forgotten by society. Forgotten by time. Days blur together. Weeks feel endless. Nights feel long. Silence grows heavy.
But hear this promise and let it settle deep into your bones:
God has never forgotten you.
The world may measure a person by their worst moment...
...GOD measures His children by Christ’s righteousness.
The world remembers your crime...
...GOD remembers His covenant.
The world may define you by your sentence...
..GOD defines you by your Savior.
You may be confined to a cell...
...but you are never confined away from God’s presence.
No steel door can shut out His Spirit.
No prison wall can block your prayers.
No chain can restrain His grace.
A man in solitary confinement who calls on Christ has more freedom in his soul than a king without Christ sitting on a throne.
Your Weakness Is Not a Disqualification — It Is Your Invitation
Many believers think they must become strong before they come to God. Hebrews 4:16 teaches the opposite.
You do not come because you are strong...
...You come because you are weak.
You do not come because you are worthy...
...You come because you are needy.
The throne of grace is not a reward for the victorious..
...It is a refuge for the struggling.
God does not say, “Clean yourself up, then come”...
...He says, “Come, and I will cleanse you.”
He does not say, “Fix your life, then pray”...
...He says, “Pray, and I will help you.”
He does not say, “Defeat temptation, then approach”...
...He says, “Approach, and I will give you grace to overcome.”
Your need is the very reason the Throne of Grace exists.
Mercy for Yesterday — Grace for Today — Hope for Tomorrow
Notice the order of the promise:
Obtain mercy --> Find grace --> In time of need.
Mercy deals with your past...
...Grace deals with your present.
Hope secures your future...
...Mercy says your sins are forgiven.
Grace says your strength is supplied....
...Hope says your story is not finished.
Some prisoners live chained to yesterday. They replay mistakes, relive regrets, and rehearse guilt until their soul grows weary. But God does not want His children imprisoned by forgiven sins.
If God has forgiven you, then your past is no longer your master. Christ is.
And if Christ is your master, then your future is not determined by your worst failure — it is determined by His sovereign grace.
There are men walking free outside prison who are slaves to lust, anger, pride, addiction, bitterness, and fear. They roam streets freely while their souls remain in chains.
And there are prisoners who kneel beside their bunks, whisper a prayer, and step spiritually into the throne room of heaven.
Tell me — which man is truly free?
Freedom is not first a location...
...Freedom is a condition of the soul.
Real liberty is found wherever Christ reigns.
Paul wrote letters filled with joy from prison. John received heavenly visions while exiled. Many saints have walked closest to God in their darkest circumstances because suffering drove them to the throne of grace again and again.
And that same throne stands open to you right now.
Do Not Waste Your Access
Millions of people on earth live their entire lives without ever approaching God sincerely. They rush through days, chase distractions, and ignore eternity. They possess outward freedom yet never use the greatest privilege available to mankind — access to God.
Do not make that mistake.
You may not be able to go where you want physically...
...But spiritually, you can go to the throne anytime.
Morning — COME.
Afternoon — COME.
Night — COME.
Tempted — COME.
Weary — COME.
Broken — COME.
Ashamed — COME.
Lonely — COME.
Come when you feel strong.
Come when you feel weak.
Come when you feel close.
Come when you feel distant.
Just come.
One Day the Door Will Open Forever
There is coming a day when every believer’s final prison door will open — whether that prison is made of steel, sickness, sorrow, or suffering. And when that day comes, you will step not into a courtroom, but into glory.
The throne of grace you approached by faith will become the throne you see by sight.
You will not be turned away.
You will not be questioned.
You will not be condemned.
You will be welcomed.
Why? Because your High Priest has already gone before you, carrying your name on His heart.
Final Charge
So lift up your heart.
Do not let guilt silence you.
Do not let shame stop you.
Do not let fear keep you back.
The throne is open.
The Savior invites.
Grace is waiting.
Come boldly.
And come often.
Because the greatest privilege a human being can possess — whether inside prison walls or outside them — is this:
Free, fearless, constant access to the living God.
Reflection Questions — Dying Grace
How does the reality of life’s brevity change the way I live each day?
In what ways do I experience God’s sustaining grace during illness, weakness, or suffering?
Do I trust God to uphold me even when my body or circumstances fail me? Why or why not?
Is it wrong for me to long to be with the Lord, and how can that longing shape my daily walk with Him?
How can I glorify God now, even in the midst of confinement, trials, or uncertainty about the future?
Are there ways I can encourage or strengthen fellow believers who are facing pain, disease, or the nearness of death?
What steps can I take to ensure that when my time comes, I can face the Lord with confidence, peace, and joy in His presence?
Closing Prayer — “Held by Grace to the End”
O gracious and faithful Father,
We bow before You with humble hearts, thanking You for Your sustaining mercy that carries Your children from their first breath to their last. Lord, for those who feel their strength fading, whose bodies are weak, whose pain is constant, or whose days seem uncertain, we ask that You surround them now with Your peace that passes all understanding.
Grant them what only You can give—dying grace. When fear whispers, speak louder with Your promises. When pain presses in, let Your presence draw nearer still. When doubts arise, anchor their souls in the certainty that nothing can separate them from Your love in Christ Jesus.
Teach us, Lord, to number our days and to use every breath for Your glory. Help us not to cling to this world, but to hold fast to You. If our path leads through suffering, let it also lead through deeper fellowship with Christ. If our road passes through the valley of the shadow of death, let us walk it unafraid, knowing You walk beside us
Give Your servants courage to finish well, faith to endure faithfully, and hope that shines even in life’s final hour. May our last words honor You, our last thoughts rest in You, and our last breath be a testimony that Your grace is sufficient.
And when the moment comes for us to depart, let it be with peace in our hearts, Christ in our sight, and heaven as our home.
We ask all this in the strong and saving name of Jesus,
Amen.
From…Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: by Gregg Harris
Comments