2001-02-19 - Last Sunday

Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this judgment.

This afternoon, Sunday 2-18, I was reading an article from a journal published in 1863. It was titled, "He did not think it would be his last Sabbath." And it detailed how death sneaks up on many when they least expect it. The article was a call to use our Sunday's wisely and not to neglect worship on the day that many have off from work. We never know when our time will run out and we will no longer have the opportunity to repent, worship, or make better use of it. The article pointed out that nothing was more important that a proper walk with God and fellowship with Him.

Yesterday, I watched an interview with Dale Earnhardt, Sr., who was tragically killed today at the Daytona 500. It was interesting because in his answers he was full of plans for the future. He was full of vision about where auto racing was headed and excited about the new crop of drivers that was coming up. He was forward looking, and in a sport as dangerous as auto racing that is commendable. But this Sunday, this race was to be his last.

We can learn a lesson here for ourselves. This lesson is also told in Scripture as one of Christ's parables in Luke 12:16-21, "The land of a certain rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'what shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' And he said, 'this is what I will do; I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.'' But God said to him, 'You fool! This night your soul is required of you; and who will own what you have prepared?' So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

It really is a thought that should make us pause and reflect upon where our treasure is being placed. Where is your treasure? I am in the process of moving now and while at our new place today I was looking around and I thought, "You have some nice books Tim." And as I write this I am slapping myself around, metaphorically, because I was making something that was a thing, my library, a treasure. There is no excuse for that. It is sin. My treasure, my only treasure, is to be Christ and all the riches He has given me in salvation. "The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good..." Matthew 12:35

None of us are guaranteed another Sunday. Our time could be but a few moments more or it could be many years more. But the end is a reality for us all. It is simply a matter of time. Years ago someone put one of the wisest epitaphs on their gravestone that I have every heard about. The stone simply says, "Cheerio, see you soon." That is the hard reality that we face. And yet there is a balance for us to recall also because in Christ the Christians death is called "blessed" (Revelation 14:13), a gain (Philippians 1:21), and peace (Isaiah 57:1, 2). And finally we must also recall that Christ delivers His Children from the fear of death. (Hebrews 2:15)

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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