Death can come so suddenly and without warning. This reality offers us something to consider about God and life.
When we are young we tend to view death as something that is a long way off. It is something that afflicts the older generation, not the young and vibrant. Sometimes we can live our lives as if death isn’t even on the radar. The Apostle James brings out this point in James 4:13-15, “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
James is addressing a prideful approach that we can take as we plan without God in the picture. It is as if we are the masters of life and God does not exist. To those being addressed money is much more important than serving God. They make plans for the future without seeking the will of God. They live like the man portrayed in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). They fail to realize that they cannot add even a minute to their life. They are completely dependent on God.
We don’t even know what will happen tomorrow, and our lives are like vapor that vanishes quickly. If we have no idea what the immediate future holds nor are we able to control it, what is the purpose of life? We must live by Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all for God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Those James addresses have not asked about the meaning and duration of life. They talk about the future with absolute certainty. Yet they have no control over it. They live their life but fail to inquire into its purpose. They are blind and ignorant.
What should our approach be? “Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.”” God is to be sovereign in our lives. In all our planning, deeds, and accomplishments we must acknowledge our submission to God.
We don’t know for certain whether our lives will be long, short or somewhere in the middle. But we do know that God is sovereign and we are to acknowledge him in how we live each day. As we live in submission to God’s will then it doesn’t matter whether life is long or short. We are in right standing with God no matter the outcome.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
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