Starve out the spirit of death.
Don’t give it any glory.
Focus not on tragedy
But on the gospel story.
Easier said than done sometimes,
But joy comes after mourning,
Although we know it takes a while
When grief strikes without warning.
Because so many questions: “Why?”
Wage war against belief,
And when folks offer platitudes
It magnifies the grief.
However, when Jesus was born,
Angels proclaimed His glory.
They starved the spirit of death
By dwelling on the gospel story.
“Joy to the world” they sang,
Prompting the shepherds to rejoice.
Then later in the temple,
There were just two who raised their voice.
Two prophets, Simeon and Anna,
Recognized and spoke of Him
Right under Herod’s nose
When Christ was in Jerusalem.
Then wise men came and brought their gifts,
But Herod was distressed.
His life was soaked in tragedy.
He wanted to be blessed.
No king would rule over him.
This babe was going down!
God warned Joseph, who fled with him,
Escaping his hometown.
But Bethlehem knew tragedy.
It was a sorry day:
Rachel weeping for her children,
Grief that wouldn’t go away.
And yes, there is a time to mourn,
As when Jesus died,
Our sins to nail upon a cross.
Behold His bleeding side!
He died to set us free,
But He was also resurrected.
For joy He did endure the cross
Though nobody suspected
That he could really do that.
Yet it happened. Can you see?
Amid your tragedy, can you
Behold His victory?
Though you might have to sing through tears,
Just aching to survive,
By praising Him you give the
spirit of death No room to thrive.
Consider Him who reigns on high
And wields the two-edged sword,
Proclaiming “Starve the spirit of death
And magnify the Lord!”
Signs, Wonders, Miracles 