A New Year’s Thought: Uncertainty of Life

We read in Proverbs 1:28, “Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me,” saith the Lord. Who shall call upon and seek after God early? Sinners, they shall then call upon God, especially scorners who have delighted in scorning and in their wickedness. When will they call upon God? When calamities, fear, and the horrors of a guilty conscience come upon them. When fear of death and judgment come upon them as desolation and their certain destruction come upon them as a whirlwind. When deep distress of soul and anguish come upon their heart because of their folly and obstinate persisting in it, taking pleasure in their own deceitfulness. Hearken and hear; but they speak not aright as Jeremiah writes, “No man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle” (Jeremiah 8:6b). When God brings the day of visitation upon them, then they shall call upon Him and seek Him early, but He will not answer them, neither shall they then find Him. Why not? Because “they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord,” neither would they take heed to His counsel but despised all of His reproofs.

Are not these words applicable to each one of us as we stand upon the threshold of another year? Since the former year has hastened so swiftly away, are we not guilty before God? As our life is passing so swiftly by, is it not a dying life or a kind of living death? Daily sins with our thoughts, words, and deeds—daily cares, toils, and pains—daily strife, bitterness, hatred, envy, and murders within us—daily hating God and loving sin by nature—these indeed prove that our prolonged breath from year to year makes our life but a living death. When we think upon the many friends or even our own beloved ones who began the past year with us but now lie silent in their graves, let us pause to consider how soon, perhaps even this very year, a grave may be opened for us. We may be called by death to go alone into a world unknown and leave behind all we love. This proves our life is most uncertain and the truth of the psalmist in Psalm 89:47. May these words become our daily prayer, “Remember how short my time is” and verse 48, “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?”

Since our life, then, is so uncertain, let us hearken unto the voice of God while it is yet the day of grace. May He grant us to consider that death is common to all men. Rich or poor, none can ever be too busy, but death snatches him away like a thief in the night. Some people die in their wedding garments, either the bride or the groom, and it has even happened to both of them. Death is appointed unto all men. It is a fearful thing to all who see it approaching. It causes heavy sighing and cold chills to go through us. Indeed it might be so because death actually separates the soul from the body, from every friend and from all thy goods. “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” Luke 12:20b&21). Death is, indeed, a fearful thing because of our sin and transgression of which we must render an account unto God our Judge. If we die in our sins as a sinner without the knowledge of God in our soul, then death for us means eternal death which is a true cause for us to dread and fear it. Ah, “then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer,” saith God; and “they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me.”

Beloved, ought not these words be as a thunderbolt unto each and every one of us? Does not Jesus, who is the greater than Solomon, who indeed is the greater Son of David, does not He again call loudly unto us to awaken out of our sleep of death, not to sin anymore but rather to repent and turn unto Him by faith? “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you” (Proverbs 1:22&23).

Are we still among those who refuse God’s counsel and despise His reproof? How shall you be able to die and appear before God? Is it nothing to you that you have enjoyed the greater light of the New Testament? Are you postponing the day of your death or putting it far from you? What if our lot be as that of the rich man: thou fool, this night thou shalt die! Are you one of those who will neither call nor seek after God? Do you give one-half of thine heart to God and the other half to the world? Oh, that we might be granted to know and seek after the things which belong to our peace while it is still the day of grace.

May we be favored to use the appointed means of grace unto our salvation, begging “Teach us, henceforth, how to live with eternity in view,” as a dear saint once wrote. Seek the Lord while He is to be found; call upon Him while He is near.

Children of God, how blessed you are, for, by the grace of God, you indeed are seekers and finders. Prayer has become a constant necessity to your soul, and your whole life is now one continual desire to meet God. In fact, is it not grievous for your soul to experience, “I sought him, but I found him not”? On the other hand, is it not the joy of your soul to experience, “It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found Him whom my soul loveth”? Seek and thou shalt find. The Lord will most assuredly fulfill every promise according to His faithful Word.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Terug naar resultaten Printen