Delay Not, Delay Not, Oh Sinner Draw Near

If death came to your door tonight, would you be ready? Could you say that Christ died on the cross for your sins and that He will give you eternal life by believing in Him?

Death is a word that most of us do not like to talk about, whether it is pertaining to our death or the death of a loved one or friend. With the recent deaths of Don Knotts and Kirby Puckett, I am once again reminded by the sting of death and am drawn to these words in the hymn, "Delay Not, Delay Not, O Sinner, Draw Near" (Lutheran Worship, Hymn #349).

Delay not, delay not, O Sinner, draw near;
The waters of life are now flowing for you.
No price is demanded, the Savior is here,
Redemption is purchased, God's promise is true.

Delay not, delay not, O sinner, to come;
For mercy still lingers and calls you today.
Its voice is not heard in the vale of the tomb;
Its message, unheeded, will soon pass away.

Delay not, delay not! The Spirit of grace,
Long grieved and resisted, may take his sad flight
And leave you in darkness to finish your race,
To sink in the gloom of eternity's night.

Delay not, delay not! The hour is at hand;
The earth will dissolve, and the heavens will fade.
The dead, small and great, in the judgment must stand.
What pow'r, then, O sinner, can lend you its aid?

Delay not, delay not! Why longer abuse
The love and compassion of Jesus, your God?
A fountain is opened; how can you refuse
To wash and be cleansed in his pardoning blood?