Jump Start # 3661
Hebrews 9:27 “And inasmuch as it is appointed for me to die once and after this comes judgment.”
How many times have we heard this passage. Used in sermons. Used at funerals. Used to remind. Used to warn. Used to bring a response. The appointment with death and the coming judgment—the two inescapable meetings with God.
Here are some thoughts:
First, it is God who makes this appointment. We don’t decide when that appointment with death will be. And, right there is one of the hardest aspects about God’s involvement in our lives. When? Just when do we keep that appointment with death?
For some, it’s a long, long time on this side of things. My mother passed through the door of death when she was 67. For my sweet dad, he was 95. Why are some taken so young, even before they barely had a chance to get going in life? These divine appointments are not passed by our eyes for our approval.
Can you imagine what it would be like if you had to decide when everyone in your dear family was to keep that appointment with death? Why was Stephen taken when he could have had more years to preach? His death caused the disciples to scatter and that expanded the boundaries of the kingdom. There are things that we don’t often see that are connected with the divine appointment with death.
Second, since we do not understand the when and the why of keeping this appointment with death, the fairness or unfairness is not really ours to declare. A baby dies. That sure seems unfair. A rebellious, drunken rock star lives eight decades. That doesn’t seem right. I think if we were running things, we’d have all the good people living a long life and all those who don’t care about anything or anyone but themselves, we’d put them on a fast track to keep that appointment with death. But God doesn’t do it that way. His ways, the prophet tells us, are higher than our ways. So godly people die young. Wicked people live on. And, some wicked die young and some godly live on. There are not statistics that can make sense of all of this. This is something known to God.
Third, we are to live for the Lord as if this was our last day. Some day, it will be. We are to stop kicking the can down the road of what we need to do. We must make a difference each day by shinning our light and living for Jesus.
I wrote earlier this week about the death of a friend named Lee. We are the same age. His journey here is finished. I’m still here. Why him and not me? Why me and not him? We can try to figure things out but most times we simply don’t know. Isaiah reminds us that the clay does not tell the potter what to do.
As one ages and begins to see those around him meeting that appointment with death, it makes one wonder, “Have I done anything worthwhile?” “Have I helped the kingdom in my time?” Whether a short time or a long time, our time needs to be devoted to the Lord.
It is appointed. You cannot miss that appointment. You cannot postpone that appointment. When the Lord declares, that appointment will be met. So, this ought to make us thankful for each day. This ought to compel us to find sunshine even in the storms. This ought to push us to think less of self and more of Him.
You and I have an appointment. It’s coming. We will be there. That can scare you. That can sadden you. That can make you angry. Or, by faith, ‘come Lord Jesus.’
Sobering thoughts to never forget. In all the things on your to do list today and all the appointments you have to keep, remember, God has one with your name on it.
Roger