Count the
Days and Make the Days Count
One of the interesting activities
that takes place with the beginning of a new year is to list the famous people
who died the previous year There were many in 2018 including presidents,
entertainers, literary giants, scientists and a variety of sports celebrities.
But the fact is there were many
others who were neither rich and famous nor powerful in this world who have had
an abundant entrance into the world of the future - the Kingdom of God.
My kids laugh at me because they
accuse me of being able to interject the topic of death within five minutes of
a conversation. (I guess the fact that I read the obituaries first thing in the
morning doesn't help their view of me.) And yet the Bible reminds us that it is
good to have a realistic picture of the brevity of life and the certainty of
death.
"A good name is better
than a good ointment, and the day of one's death is better than the day of
one's birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of
feasting: because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to
heart. Sorrow is better than laughter; for when a face is sad a heart may be
happy. The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning; while the mind of
fools is in the house of pleasure." (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4)
Please do not think that I am
trying to ruin your new year. I hope you had a great New Year celebration and
that 2019 will be a great year for you and for me. I also hope that as we take
a clearheaded look at our life and understand the wisdom from the Lord that we
will invest the days of the year wisely.
The ancient wisdom of Moses offers
us a biblical perspective which we would do well to dwell upon.
As for the days of our life,
they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength eighty
years,
Yet their pride is but labor
and sorrow;
For soon it is gone, and we
fly away.
...........
...........
So teach us to number our
days,
That we may present to Thee a
heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:10 & 12)
Serving Him with you
Until
He comes for us,
Fred