The Greatest Sting

I never saw the coiling snake, The suddenness of its striking, But I quickly felt my mistake, Stung with terror while hiking. That quickly turned to burning rage, A response uncalculated- A sudden and angry rampage, And the snake was annihilated. Then swarming bees sent me running, Through a swarm of thorns and briers. The number of stings was stunning, Like a hundred little fires. Then hellish lava began to spew, In the form of threats and curses, Of all the vengeance I would do, Which a tortured mind rehearses. Afterwards, my wrath subsided, And a settled policy arose- Any "stingers" would be blighted, Before they could oppose. How do you explain things that sting, When you planned to do them no harm? After suffering the pain they bring, Man, and Nature, both lose their charm. Then there's the greatest sting of all, That follows our dying breath. Forever in that captive thrall, Is the sting of sin and death. How do I blight death's sin-sting, And avoid death's Sheol-swallow, Find purpose in my suffering, And an example in which to follow? He swallows the sting for all of them, Once your eyes are opened to see. Salvation was secured by Him, Read Isaiah fifty-three.