Read Leviticus 25
Read Ecclesiastes 9
Solomon forces us to consider our own mortality. This is appropriate for the believer every day of life, but also especially in this season of lent. No matter how great or strong or rich or famous we might be, death comes to all.
And then we will be forgotten, "for the memory of them is forgotten," (v. 5). Are we ready to be forgotten? It really is a humbling proposition. This is not to say that our lives haven't mattered - quite the contrary, God has used us in very important ways. But very few people actually make it into the history books, or are remembered 100 years after their death. Do you know all your great-grandparents' names? I don't.
Death is coming. And for the unbeliever, this knowledge will hopefully at some point jolt them awake so they would consider the hope Jesus Christ gives us. I hope we are ready to share the Good News when they are ready to hear it.
But also for the believer, this sobering reminder that death comes to all should remind us to place ourselves in our loving Father's hands, to trust in him, to cling firmly to our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and to have confidence in our own resurrection.
We are humbled by the reminder that we will die, but we are not hopeless. No, confident of our eternal life through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, we boldly live for the Lord in the time we have left. We are of good cheer because "God has already approved" of what we do. We enjoy our spouse, whom we love, we find joy in our labor, we work with all our might, and we are happy that even though the world might forget us, our loving Savior never will.
Pray:
"Thank You, God, that we do not see death as the end of our lives. Your promises, fulfilled in Christ, give us the sure and certain hope of being with You forever. Amen." (TLSB p. 1060).
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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