One of the Sure Things

(Psa 116:15 KJV)  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

As I began reading Psalm 116 my mind was on death.  One of the fixtures in our church left to be with Jesus.  I did not know him well.  His mind was not as sharp as he wanted.  He did not have a bold and aggressive step any more.  In the midst of that he always seemed to have a cheerful demeanor.  At his worse moments he was a positive presence.

No more.

As I worshiped and thought about the God we serve I was almost overwhelmed with joy at the prospects of eternity.  I don’t know if you have been to Forest Lawn in the Los Angeles area but they have this one building sized painting of the resurrection.  You sit down facing a curtain and the turn out the lights.  The next thing you know there is a spot light illuminated the empty tomb.  Before the presentation is over you have a massive, heavenly host revealed, fading into the distance.  

We will be a part of that.

So?  Physical death happens.  I could go any day.  So could you.  It is so reassuring to know I am ready.  Although I will regret being parted from my grandchildren, I rejoice in the eventual reunion.  It is a sure thing. 

Fancy Death

(Pro 8:36 KJV)  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

I have been reading a book called The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant.  It is reminding me why I don’t like to read philosophy as a rule.  I am in a chapter on Arthur Schopenhauer.  I have finished summaries of Voltaire, Kant and Hegel.  It reads like much of the science fiction that is being written today.  It is simply human beings trying to find a reason not to believe in the God of the Bible.  

Here is an example.

“The task of religion is to reach and feel that Absolute in which all opposites are resolved into a unity, that great sum of being in which matter and mind, subject and object, good and evil, are one.  God is the system of relationships in which all things move and have their being and their significance.  In man the Absolute rises to self-consciousness, and become the Absolute Idea - that is thought realizing itself as part of the Absolute, transcending individual limitations and purposes, and catching, underneath the universal strife, the hidden harmony of all things.”  pages 322-3  

This is Durant’s summary, not the words of Kant but you get the idea.

The world is like this verse.  They hate God and love the death.

So?  Recognize what you are up against.  They can make it sound very deluxe but it is still the path of death.

Durant, Will.  The Story of Philosophy.  Garden City, New York:  Garden City Publishing Co., Inc.,  1926.

Creation Fears

(Pro 8:28 KJV) When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

Creation.  God designed it.  God made it.  God sustains it.  God will end it, or at least modify it so that you would not recognize it.  As I write the current media created pandemic seems to be on the decline.  As I write I still see people paralyzed by fear.  I expect that in the pagan world.  They live in a superstitious wonderland of petty gods they try to placate.  They have to guess at ways to control the fickle forces of nature.  What disappoints me is when I see it in the church.

I went with my daughter for a doctor’s visit.  We were going to dinner afterwards.  After sitting and reading in the doctor’s waiting room for about 20 minutes I was asked to leave because I did not have on a mask.  Fine.  Your office, your rules.  I went to the lobby and sat in a chair a few yards away from the entrance we had used and had our temperature taken.  After another 20 minutes the lady manning the portal came over and asked me to put on my mask.  I said I didn’t have a mask.  She politely threw me out.

So?  God created the universe.  The processes He set up allowed for viruses and infections.  Our bodies are designed to fight them.  The Bible also has lesson in basic hygiene.  I hope you can join me in not living in fear. 

For Sure

(Proverbs 30:16 KJV)  The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

When the KJV says the “grave” (7585) it is not talking about the hole in the ground with a tombstone above it.  It translates it “Hell” the same number of times.  To avoid that confusion the NASB uses “Sheol” every time.  This is a transliteration of the Hebrew.  The word refers to the underworld.  I am not sure if it is the eternal destiny of the damned as much as a holding tank before the final judgement.

However you understand it, we are reminded that physical death is certain and we need to be ready.  Kids at school will try to get under my skin by telling me I am old.  I agree and tell them I am older today than I was yesterday and so are they.  What is different is that I have no fear of getting old and eventually having my body stop.

So?  Death is certain unless the Lord returns.  But remember,

(1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

It hasn’t been that long since Easter has it? 

Grave Concerns

(Proverbs 12:28 KJV)  In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

I have not been to a funeral in a long time.  I have had friends who have lost parents in the last few years, but they have been far away.  I think that the next funeral I go to will be my own.  At least I hope so.  One of the themes that are perpetual at Christian funerals is that the person being remembered has not really died but has just moved along to the next step of eternity.  Most of us have heard the words of Paul in Corinthians 15 but are not aware he is actually quoting the Old Testament.

(Hosea 13:14 KJV)  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

It would seem that death should be afraid of our savior.

So?  Physical death in the eyes of the world is as sure as taxes.  Eternal life is also assured for those who follow Jesus.  May your walk here be productive and full of joy.  May the next step bring no fear. 

Threescore and Ten

(Proverbs 27:25 KJV)  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

As I approach my allotted “threescore and ten” the end of the road becomes a constant companion. 

(Psalms 90:10 KJV)  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.

Death can strike at any age but at a certain age it ceases to fit the category of tragic or unexpected.  Weakness becomes something to compensate for, not deny.  It is a part of life.

How many people do we know that have such a fear of death that they will mortgage their children’s future in order to have a medical procedure to extend their time a few months?  I am going to have a colon exam in a few weeks.  What if the doctor comes into the room and says, “I’m afraid I have bad news.”  The world will respond with weeping and gnashing of teeth.  The believer will respond differently.  By the time this is posted I will know what he had to say.

So?  We are as grass.  We will “disappear” (1540).  But it really isn’t disappearing.  It is being transformed.  It is being promoted.  It is moving into eternity with and assurance in our hearts that we finally get to ask Jesus those questions that have had no answers.  I trust you have that security no matter what your age. 

Death Watch

(Proverbs 2:18 KJV)  For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

As Christians we tend to think in terms of life.  This verse is talking about “death” (4194).  It doesn’t hurt us to stop and think about it for a moment.  One reason is that we can rejoice in being delivered.  No matter how you define death, it is no longer a concern for us.  The other reason is that we need to understand how serious the issue is for those we love who are not saved.

I get the idea of a road that slowly descends to disaster and hopelessness.  This is not the picture of one mistake or moment of rebellion that casts us into the fire of hell.  This is a complacency and casual attitude toward life that lulls us into a sense of comfort.  It is a road to disaster.

So?  Take salvation seriously.  Be praying, witnessing and living like those you love are caught in a sinkhole.  They are. 

Grave Anticipation

(Proverbs 5:11 KJV)  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

“I’m ready to go.”  This is a line I use with the kids at school on a regular basis.  I usually don’t go beyond that because they don’t ask what I mean.  The truth is I am not groaning about it.  I am not yearning to be young again.  I am ready to go.  It has been a good ride.  All is still going well.  All of my problems are what they call “first world.”

Part of that comfort with getting old is knowing that I have not invested my life in destructive practices.  It is, of course, rooted in the grace of God and being born again.  It doesn’t stop with the roots.  It goes on to a walk.  It continues with growth and maturity.

So?  I am not hurrying to the grave but it is not an object of fear.  I don’t think the descriptions we have in the Bible and speculations of folklore come even close to how glorious it is going to be.  I am ready to go, are you?  It is a fair question to ask yourself. 

Expiration Date

(Proverbs 9:18 KJV)  But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

This last verse made me wonder if I was reading the wrong chapter for the day.  It seemed familiar.  I looked back at yesterday and saw that it also talked about death.

(Proverbs 8:36 KJV)  But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

What’s up?  Isn’t Proverbs supposed to be uplifting thoughts to help us live better lives?  Yes.  That is why it reminds us of death.  Two chapters.  Different words.  Different ways of expressing the idea.  The grave lies before us.  Here we are reminded, by choice of words, that the grave is not the end.  “Sheol” is the Hebrew word for the place that the unrighteous dead go.

It may not be pleasant but we need to be reminded of reality.  Think of it as one of those reminders you see on your milk carton, called an expiration date.  It only applies if you ignore it.

So?  Be ready.  The best, or in this case the worst, is yet to come. 

Is This the Year?

(Proverbs 11:7 KJV)  When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

Death happens.  Along with taxes, it is a sure thing.  This verse reminds us of that and of one other thing:  Death does not mean the same thing for all people.  For the “wicked” (7563) death is an end of “expectation” (8615b).  It is the crash of “hope” (8431).  This is the cause of all the tests the doctor has you take looking for any little thing going wrong in your body.  This is why the world spends so much on cosmetics, exercise and fashions.  The day of death must be held at bay at all costs.

Believers have a different read.  The righteous have expectations that begin at death.  We have a hope that goes beyond the grave.  Physical death is not an end, just a transition. 

So?  How is your hope today?  How are your expectations?  Nothing that happens today is the end.  Death hath no sting.  Of course, you still have taxes.

Don’t Be a Victim

(Proverbs 7:26 KJV)  For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

One of the problems we face today in our culture is the growing number of people who consider themselves “wounded” (victims NASB) (2491a).  It is a growing community of people who want to blame others for the problems in their lives.  We may not realize it but this is a result of rejecting the Biblical view of sin and the fallen nature of man.  Modern secular humanism believes that man is good and will do what is right if given the chance.  This makes them victims instead of free souls.

The margin of the NASB gives us a literal translation of this word, “mortally wounded.”  This is much more accurate than victim.  If you follow through what is happening in these verses we have a young man who has chosen to enter into an illicit sexual relation with another man’s wife.  We call it adultery.  It is sin.  He is not a victim, he is an accomplice.  He walked into this with his eyes open.

Because of this he is condemned.  Sin causes difficulty in this life and death for eternity. 

So?  Don’t fall into the cultural trap of being a victim.  God has given us a promise. 

(1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Don’t fall for the deadly lie of Satan and the culture.  You are responsible for your behavior. 

Are You a Mourning Person?

(Proverbs 5:11 KJV)  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

I am at my “last” (latter end NASB) (319).  I am at retirement age although I will not be retiring.  As I look at this it seems to be a warning for us if we have been following the “strange woman” (adulteress NASB) of verse 3.  You can take this literally or figuratively, both are a warning of a life lived in rebellion. 

This is also a reminder, dare I say warning, to those who are far from the end.  It will come.  You will be there.  Do you want it to be a time where you “mourn” (groan NASB) (5098) all the time or a time of rejoicing and satisfaction.  You won’t be able to look back on a life well lived if you don’t live it well.

So?  Young or old, get on the path of obedience and holy priorities.  It is never too early to start but the day will come when it will be too late.

Sleeping It Off

(Proverbs 3:24 KJV)  When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Today, for me, this verse takes on a special meaning.  Usually it speaks of going to bed and fear of the dark.  As I write I am hours away from the grave side of a family member.  I think of the time before death made a visit.  Figuratively speaking we are looking at when we “lie down” (7901).  We are talking about the final “sleep” (8142).

We shed some tears but we shared more laughs and smiles.  Are we weird?  No more than the normal Christian.  One the memories shared was the way in which the prospect of death was not recognized with fear but with hope.  Jesus conquered death.  It is just a point on our journey.  Yes, there are “Goodby’s”, but there are also “Hello’s.”  There are separations but there are also reunions. 

For all of us death is also “sweet” (6149) because it is encased in hope.

So?  I hope you share that hope.  I changes the way you look at life...and death.