More Time To Sin

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6

Are you scared to die? Are you eaten up with worry over the safety of your loved ones even though you know that they are followers of Jesus? I have some words that are meant to comfort, even if they don’t seem so from the outset.

Currently, I am obsessed with comparing King David with King Hezekiah. They were both men who tried to follow God’s ways. Both of their reigns were marked by their zeal to bring their country into a state of holiness – a holiness that was unseen in the majority of kings. David led processions by dancing and worshiping God in the streets. Hezekiah tore down the high places of idol worship to the point of desecrating them so that they could not be rebuilt. These were awesome things!

But in spite of that, both men sinned to the detriment of their kingdoms in the winter of their rule. David was moved by Satan to take inventory of the men in Israel. God exacted justice by killing off thousands of people. This king after God’s own heart quickly repented. Hezekiah asked God to extend his life and was given fifteen more years on earth. The next record of his reign shows that he revealed all of the kingdom’s treasures to other kingdoms. God promised judgment after Hezekiah’s death. (David and Hezekiah had similar sins with very different reactions, but that will be for another day.)

Scripture tells us that we have a number of days allotted to us to live, given to us by God. None of us knows what will happen tomorrow. That is why we say, “I will see you tomorrow, God willing.” Instead of living in fear of dying or of losing a loved one, may we be moved to pray that we follow God while we live. Better a shorter life of obedience and blessing than a long one that ends with disobedience and harmful consequences for our loved ones.

Heavenly Father, Only You know how long I have to live. Help me to serve you zealously. I want to finish this race well. Prevent my loved ones and me from being caught in a snare. Give me a second chance in Your mercy.  In Jesus Name (the One Who keeps us), Amen

Journal

How do you feel about death?

How does God value life?

Look up instances in the Gospels when Jesus brought people back to life. What did he tell them to do? How did they live afterwards?