Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 24, 2014
Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Psalm 39:4-5
It’s easy to live life like we have unlimited days before we die. Men especially can think they are bullet proof, indestructible to life’s constant flow of burdens and blessings. I acted like that until I encountered a life threatening health issue two years ago at age 52. Suddenly, my mortality caught up with my body. Reality and fear of dying reminded me I might not see a grandchild graduate from kindergarten, much less college. I began to value each day as God’s unique gift.
Following death immortality in heaven is instant for the Christian, thus we pass through this life on a mission for our Lord. If that so, why do we sometimes live like our purpose is for this life alone? Denial–we think, if we don’t think about death, it will stay at bay, or at least not depress us. But death is one of the Lord’s reminders of why we need Him. Our inevitable death is cause for utter dependence on our heavenly Father. Death’s unpredictability calls us to Christ’s predictability.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
So by God’s grace, how can we live like we are dying? One way is to embrace and celebrate each day as a gift from God. A gift not to be squandered in self focus or taken for granted with thankless prayers. Gratitude adds energy to life and attractiveness to our attitude. Another idea is to enjoy what we have, not obsess over what we don’t have. Contentment contributes to peace of mind, physical health and emotional wholeness. We have all we need in Christ Jesus.
Lastly, we gain a heart of wisdom when we treat each day as an opportunity to be an ambassador for Almighty God. A heart focused on the Lord wants others to come to know God through His son Jesus. So, we humbly share the wisdom of God for the purpose of people knowing God. Wisdom has a sense of urgency based on the fact that Christ is in control, but aware that today may be the last day to invite another soul to Jesus. We live like we are dying when we share the everlasting gospel of Christ. Because we trust Him with our soul, we die daily and trust Him with our life.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to number my days, so I gain a heart of wisdom to live like I am dying.
Related Readings: Job 14:5; Psalm 118:24; Proverbs 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:31; James 4:13-17
Post/Tweet today: Gratitude adds energy and enjoyment to life and attractiveness to our attitude. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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Thank you for the message it gives one a lot too think about and a great way to start the day !!!
Dear Natasha~ I agree with you! This devotional, “Live Like We’re Dying” was a great way to start the day! I must say, that this devotional happens to be one of my favorites that Mr. Bailey has written. It serves as such a reminder that only the Lord knows the number of our days and as the devotional stated “embrace and celebrate each day as a gift from God. A day not to be squandered in self focus or taken for granted with thankless prayers”. Goodness, what a call to arms!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us with your comments. We always love to hear from our fellow wisdom hunters. May you be blessed today as you go out to bless others.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne