Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26

Someone asked Billy Graham a few years before he died at age 99, what was the biggest surprise he had in life. He said without hesitation, the brevity of life.

My own dad who lived to be nearly 80 years of age told me the same thing just before he died. Now that I am even older than my dad when he died, I can say without hesitation I agree; life really is not very long in the overall scheme of things. But what is even more important than the brevity of life is realizing that we all are going to live forever somewhere. Yes, my friend we are, regardless of what some folks may try to tell you! Where you live in eternity is solely up to you and the choices you make.

Jesus knew all about this better than any of us ever could, and he talks about it in many different scriptures. Here are some verses from God’s Word about life in this world.

Shadow

For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.  1 Chronicles 29:15

Flying Shuttle

My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.  Job 7:6

Rushing Messenger

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.  Job 9:25

A Handbreadth

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah Psalms 39:4-5

Weaver’s Web

Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. Isaiah 38:12 

Vanishing Vapor

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.  James 4:13-15

Withered Grass

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:24-25  

As I read these verses I think of so many people I have known in my life who died at a young age or in midlife.  They never had an opportunity to live out a full life.  But it’s God, and him alone who decides the length of our lives, my friend, whether it is short or long.

The above verses also testify that God warns all people that life is not only brief but can end at any moment.  What if your life ended today?  Where would you go? Only those of us who are born again will go to heaven.

Judgment

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  Hebrews 9:27

After death God says we will all be brought into judgment to be examined as to how we lived the years we had in our earthly lives. The Judgment Seat of Christ, which is the judgment for we who are believers is also called The Bema Judgment.

For 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 Corinthians 5:10

Then there is The Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12

Yes, my friend, death is appointed for all of us and if we are wise we will spiritually prepare for where we will spend eternity.

I am greatly troubled at the people who never seem to think about this and they do not take God seriously. People live indifferently, loosely, and in blatant sin and rebellion every day and seem to think they will not face judgment one day.

Recently, the lady who sings on our radio and television program died suddenly and totally unexpected.  She was not all that old, but her life here had ended, and she now rejoices with the Savior. How good to know, however, she was ready and had lived a very godly life for many years.  On the other hand, I have known those who died and had no testimony of ever trusting the Savior for salvation.

No matter how many years one lives here, it is a short time compared to eternity where we are all going to live one day.  Be wise and commit yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ who died upon the cross to pay for your sins, and mine, my friend.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.  John 3:36

We keep hearing of those who commit suicide because their life is so difficult for them.  They want the hurting and disappointment to end. They ignorantly think that by taking their life this will remove them from their suffering.  But, in truth, this may take them to more suffering then they could have ever imagined and a suffering that will last for eternity if they died without

Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Death does not end when one dies, no matter what someone may try to tell you! The body only sleeps in death, but the soul of a person lives on. They just trade places as to where they will live.

My friend, we all have suffered hurt and pain in our lives and we all know life is hard. I truly understand how some people have it much more difficult than others. But calling out to the Lord is a much better way out of your problems than to take your own life.

I personally have had some very painful times in my life.  If it had not been for the Lord I would not have made it.  I have had to lean heavily upon Him many times in my life, and if he will help me, he will help anyone else who needs help. You just must be willing to call out to Him! This is why it is important to have been raised in church and know the promises of God’s Word, so that when these trials in life come we know God will help us.

I believe literally the promise made by the writer of Hebrews... for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrew 13:5-6

Yes, the Lord has promised he will never leave us or forsake us, and that we can call upon him in our time of need and he will make a way for us. We just need to trust him.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:12

These are just some of the verses that tell us we can call upon the Lord and he has promised to hear and help us.

So, my question to my reader is this, why don’t people call upon the Lord when life is difficult?  The Lord wants to help us.  But, he allows us to choose! We can either accept Him or reject Him.

Only in this life is there pain and heartache for the believers in Jesus Christ. But remember, that our days here are brief, even if we were to live one hundred years. Contrast one hundred years with all of eternity and these things that are common in the world today won’t seem so important anymore.

In closing I would like to challenge our readers to make a commitment to yourself to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your mind, body and soul, which overall will be a blessing to your family and friends. A commitment not only to love Him, but to spend time with Him as much as possible and serve Him faithfully. I can assure you, you will never regret it.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17

Heavenly Father, thank you for life and for the Word of God that tells us how to live life before you. Bless our readers and may each one of them know about the comfort and hope found in your precious, Holy Word. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

“Loving the Savior” Preacher