There is a film playing at a local theater about global disaster striking the Earth. There have been a number of films in recent years about the destruction of our planet and threats from things like asteroids etc. We have a way of scaring ourselves through this means and other ways. Perhaps the most frightening thing is to live in such a way that we take no thought for where we will spend eternity. When we think about the future, do we stop to ask what would happen if we were not here? Will we be around to watch the sun come up and enjoy the blessing of life that God has given us? Each day we take chances with our lives by getting on the roadways, going to work and living as though time will last forever. The message of the Bible is such that we need to spend some time thinking about where we will spend eternity should the unthinkable happen.
In the Psalms we read of a request made to God that we should all pay attention to. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psm 90.12). In the same Psalm we are told that there is a limit to the life that we may have. "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psm 90.10). We realize of course that there is no guarantee that we will live to this age, or beyond, if our physical health holds out. Christ spoke of a group of eighteen people who died when a tower fell on them (Luke 13.4). In our own time we know of those whose lives have been cut short by accident, disease and violence. We live in times that are troubled. Our time, however, is not unlike any other age or period. There are no guarantees.
Solomon, speaking in the wisdom given him by God tells us, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Eccl 12.13). The reason for this is also given by Solomon when he reminds us that "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Eccl 12.14). Paul tells us that " we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Cor 5.10). These warnings remind us that we are temporary on this Earth. We are immortal beings and as such will spend an eternity either with God, or separated from Him.
We may think that things will just continue on and that we will have time to prepare to face God in judgment. God blesses all who live here as Christ stated, telling us that God "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matt 5.45). God has given us life and blessed us in ways that we may never fully appreciate and understand. The greatest blessing that He has given us is the hope of an eternal life with Him and offers that to all. Peter tells us that we need to
be mindful of these things when he states, "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." (1 Pet 3.10-11). Where will we be the day after tomorrow. Are we prepared to face God in judgment? Have we stopped to give that enough thought today?
TLC