Genesis 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men… In the early days of which we read in the Bible men seemed to have been stronger and taller, and to have lived to a greater age than now. But it is not of these giants of strength of whom I would speak to you, but of giants in character, in faith, in holiness, and endurance, who may serve us feeble folk as examples how to live and die. Let us take Noah as an example of a giant in faith. He believed God's promise that He would destroy the world, though there were no signs of the coming flood. And when the flood came, Noah was saved and the laughers destroyed. Again, take Abraham as an example of a giant of faith. Take Job as an example of patience: he lost health and home, and money and children, at one stroke, and he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." We, like them, may be giants of strength if we trust in Him whose grace is sufficient for us. Let me now tell you of some who have been giants of strength in their death, and let their dying words be a sermon to us. Let us hear Simeon, the old man who had grown grey waiting for the consolation of Israel; his dim eyes looked on the Son of God, his feeble arms held Him, and he went to his rest, saying, "Lord, now lettest," etc. May we all likewise die the death of the righteous, and may our last end be like his! St. Stephen sank beneath the cruel stones, crying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"; etc. St. Paul, when his work was nearly over, said, "I have fought a good fight," etc. Listen to Ignatius on his way to Rome to die for Jesus, "My Lord was crucified for me." St. Polycarp, the white-haired bishop of Smyrna, is in the hands of his enemies, they bid him abjure the faith of Christ, or be cast to the lions, and the brave old man makes answer, "We Christians change no better for worse, but change from bad to better," and so goes to the lions. John Huss is being bound to the stake and he cries, "Welcome this chain for Christ's sake." The dying Luther murmurs, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth." When Melancthon was near his end, they asked him if he wanted aught, and he answered, "Nothing but heaven." The poet Goethe said with his last breath, "Let the light enter," and so passed away to where all things are made clear. When the learned Grotius was dying they brought young people to his bedside to hear his parting advice; he gave it in two words, "Be serious." Beethoven, the great composer, was too deaf to hear his own sweet music, but on his death bed he said, smiling, "I shall hear in heaven." Yes, the best music, the unending praises of the Lamb of God! From these giants let us learn how to die. Many of them were weak, and old, and sickly, some were women and tender children; only let us be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and the feeblest feet among us shall climb to heaven, the tiniest hands shall beat down the tempter, the sickliest bodies shall be glorified. (H. J. Wilmot Buxton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. |
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