The Best of All
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
On February 17, 1791, John Wesley preached his final sermon in Lambeth from this very text. Soon after, weak and nearing the end of his life, he was confined to his bed on City Road. During those final days, he often repeated a line from his brother Charles’ hymn: “I the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me.” These were not merely poetic words—they were the settled conviction of a man who had spent his life preaching grace. And when his final moments came, his last testimony was simple and triumphant: “The best of all is, God is with us!”
What a way to leave this world. Wesley did not boast of sermons preached, societies formed, or miles traveled on horseback. He did not rehearse accomplishments. Instead, he rested in two truths: he was a sinner saved by grace, and God was present with him. At the edge of eternity, success fades and reputation dims, but the nearness of God shines brighter than ever. The same man who urged others to “seek the Lord” found deep comfort knowing the Lord was near to him.
There is a tenderness in those final words. The best of all is not health, not legacy, not even a long life—it is the presence of God. For the believer, death is not stepping into the unknown alone. It is stepping into fuller fellowship with the One who has been with us all along. Wesley’s final declaration reminds us that the greatest treasure in life and in death is Emmanuel—God with us.
Do not wait for the final days of your life to seek the Lord. Call upon Him now. Walk with Him daily so that when your final hour comes, your heart can echo the same confidence: “The best of all is, God is with us.”
"The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory." — Psalm 64:10
Daily Scripture Reading
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026
Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)
In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.
This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.
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