A LIFETIME TO PREPARE

     Life moves ever so swiftly. You, like me, wonder where time goes. Yesterday we were young, and today we are old. How many tomorrows do we have left before we leave the walk of men? The Bible addresses the swiftness of life. “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle...O remember that my life is wind.” Job 7:6-7. James saw life as a “vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:14. For that reason, he determined that we ought to say, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:15. We must not count on tomorrow, for tomorrow may not come. We could make that journey into eternity at any moment. Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, saw life as a “flower that fades and grass that withers.” Isaiah 40:6-8. Indeed, we know that life is brief.

   The Psalmist, in the midst of speaking of God’s everlasting nature, counsels us to the consideration that must be given to life. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12. We are to be mindful of the brevity of life. We are to be aware of life’s purpose. This psalm teaches us of God’s dwelling. The words speak of God’s wrath and his mercy. We are to behold God’s work and his glory for we are his servants. The beauty of the Lord is upon us. Henceforth, our days will be numbered and our hearts will know wisdom. Life is to be lived in service to God while we are to be mindful of his nature.

     The apostle Paul when writing to the Ephesians exhorts us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16. Our time is to be spent, not in idle foolishness, but in pursuit of God’s purpose. Our days are not to be used in worldly endeavors, but in the glorification of God’s kingdom. Our years are not to be used in seeking the praises of men, but rather we are to seek the praise of God. We are dying, and we must be prepared to die. Of all the endeavors that should occupy us, meeting the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ at the judgment should be our overall concern. We are here as visitors, and we are bound for eternity. The journey here is to prepare us for our dwelling there. And the days to accomplish that feat are few.

 A HOUSE BUILT ON ROCK OR SAND

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:24-27.  We are not building houses; we are building destinies.  We either build wisely or foolishly.  The key to building a successful life that is prepared for the final destination is the word of Christ.  The word of the master teacher who so skillfully preached this sermon is that we do what God says or we do not what he says.  The life which we build is always tested.  The rain, floods, and wind come to every life.  No life is without the storms.  In order for any of us to endure, we must hear and do what Jesus teaches.  Many listen to the words of Christ, but are not motivated to do what he says. Knowledge must be translated into action.  Whether our life stands or falls is solely dependent upon our hearing and doing what Jesus teaches.  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.”  II Timothy 2:19. “The righteous is an everlasting foundation.”  Proverbs 10:25.  Obedience to the will of God will ensure our life now, and in the eternity to come.  We seem to live in the midst of a society that does not appreciate restrictions and rules.  People act and react according to their own will.  Such brings havoc and destruction.  Humanity cannot be a law unto themselves.  They will not stand when the rain, flood, and wind come.  My house cannot endure storms unless my foundation is secure.  Sand is easily eroded.  Rock holds firm.  How we build our life is determined by our acceptance or rejection of the rule of God.  God can be ignored and his law shunned, but that one who so does will not endure the rain, flood, and wind of this life, nor the judgment to come.  Upon which foundation is your house built?  When the storm comes, will your house stand or fall?