07/28/2021
The Days of Our Years
"The days of our years are three-score and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."--Psalms 90:10
A careful study of Psalms 90 will leave us with an indelible impression of the how quickly time passes. Our days are like grass that flourishes and grows but suddenly withers or is cut down. Our days are portrayed as a tale that is told and quickly comes to an end (vs 5-9). Realizing that our stay on this earth is brief and will quickly come to an end makes the words of Psalms 39:4 most meaningful: "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am". Our lives are for but a brief span of time and thoughtful consideration of this from time to time should serve to encourage us to make the most of each moment. None of us knows when, where or how we are going to die. The only thing we know for certain is that the day is coming when our hearts will beat for the last time on this earth and we will fly away ( Eccl. 9:5, Heb. 9:27).
Having said all of this, I now say that there is no doubt that all of us have experienced some great days during our sojourn on planet earth but there is coming for each of us a day that will surpass all other days in greatness (Rom. 14:12, Acts 17:30-31). That day of accounting will be a grand and glorious day for those who have obeyed the Lord (heard him, believed him, repented, confessed him, had their sins washed away in baptism and lived faithfully for him--John14:15, Mark 16:16, Acts 17:30, Rom. 10. 10, Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rev. 2:10). It will be a sad, sorrowful day for all who have never obeyed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Thess. 1:7-9). The moment we breath that last breath and step out into eternity, our eternal destiny is sealed forever. That destiny will be one of two places. There is the destiny called hell; a place of everlasting punishment, a place of torment where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth; a place where the vilest of people will be (Matt. 25:30, Gal. 5:19-21, Rev. 21:8). I have no doubt that all of us have experienced some tremendous pain in this life, physical and mental, but none of that pain can begin to compare with the pain and agony found in the place called hell. Then there is the place called heaven, a place of eternal bliss, happiness and joy. A place with no tears, no death, no sorrow, just pure joy forever and ever (1 Cor. 2:9, Rev. 21:1-6, 22:1-7).
Death--yes, When--uncertain, Then--Heaven or Hell. Our eternal destiny is going to be based on how we have used this great gift of life, based upon whether or not we have obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ to the best of our ability. Now is the moment of truth: If you were to fly away in the next moment, what would be your eternal destiny. Perhaps all of us would do well to follow Paul's admonition to the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves----" (2 Cor. 13:5).
To God be glory now and forever!
Charles Hicks
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