Death Comes Soon Enough

TITLE: Death Comes Soon Enough
DATE: December 27, 2018
TEXT:  Matthew 6: 31-33 – ESV - Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 
Here’s a shocker: odds are you  are probably going to die.

Understand, I’m not saying “FOR SURE” that you’re going to die. There are exceptions…

1. Enoch walked with God and he left this world without meeting up with death. The Old Testament prophet Elijah avoided death by hitching a ride on a fiery chariot which took him directly to heaven. Some argue the prophet Moses didn’t die.
2. Then, of course, there will be those people who will be alive when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. In His wisdom the Lord has decided that these living folks can be judged just as they are.  Which all goes to prove, there have been, and there will be exceptions to the old truism: “There’s nothing sure in this life except death and taxes.”

So, about the only thing I can say about death’s arrival is this: you don’t want to rush things along.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,  rushing death” is exactly what many people are doing. The Center shares that each day the U.S. of A. has more than 128 successful suicides.  The Center’s calculations tell them that this rise in suicide and drug overdose rates have taken the number of US deaths to a high unmatched in the last 100 years.
In other words…in 2016 an average American could expect to live to be 78.7 years but in 2017 he would reach his end a month earlier, that is, at 78.6 years.

And the greatest reason for length of life being shortened is suicide and drug overdose. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for those who are aged 10-34; it is the fourth leading cause of death for those who are  35-54. Which seems unbelievable….

• because we live in a nation where the stores are packed with just about anything a person could want or need.
• because we live at a time in history when good medical care stands at the ready and the pharmacies are filled with an ever growing array of medicines to make us feel right.
• because, the people in our land have the ability to pick up the phone, break out the charge card and get an immediate scratch to every itch they can feel.

And it’s not enough.

We probably shouldn’t be surprised. Stuff can never take the place of the Savior. Ever.

You see, we are not just earthly creatures with earthly longings; we have a spiritual component, which needs the Redeemer to be made right with the Lord.  Jesus knew what He was talking about when He said  (John 10:10) - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

And if you have an abundant life in Jesus, you won’t have to rush death or fear death when it occurs.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the things of this world promise to raise our standard of living, but usually they only raise our sense of longing. Help us to recognize that with the Savior in our hearts, the rest of life can fall into perspective and find its proper place. In Jesus’ Name I ask it. Amen.

The story upon which this devotion is based on a number of reports including one carried by USA Today and written by John Bacon on November 29, 2018. The website where this article is carried is: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/11/29/us-life-expectancy-suicide-50-year-peak-and-drugs-cause-death/2146829002/

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html