It is when I am sick that I understand that this life is so short. Truly, my sicknesses could take me to the grave, if God was ready to take me. This can be when I feel saved or unsaved. We don’t have a choice to go either direction when we die. The last time our heart beats, this decides our future in heaven or hell. Sure, when I am healthy, I feel like there are many days ahead of me. I feel like I have a life to live still. However, I feel better in both circumstances when I have confessed my sins and I am walking in the ways of the Lord. Now, there was a time that I thought that I needed more and more in life. I always had to have the latest and greatest phone, tablet, computer, TV and such. Now, as I have come to Jesus, I know that this is all for naught. For I will not be able to take any of it with me. This is much like the rich man, who 1“brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.” Much like myself, he needed more and more. He also said 1“my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This was my heart also, back in the day. Life was easy and I had no care in this world. However, now I know how wrong I was. I was not building for my time in heaven but for my time in hell, for God was not a part of my life.
To those people that continue to build up their lives in worldly pleasures. There will be a reckoning with God in judgement, come death. Much like what happened to the rich man, in a portion of the parable, I just mentioned above. It continues, 1“but God said unto him, 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.” As Jesus described, when we least expect it our souls will be called up to God in judgment. We will be required to face Him and therefore pay the price for our sins, if we had not confessed them and forsaken them through the blood of Jesus. Everyone has the opportunity now to be made right with God, but unfortunately, many people miss their chance at salvation. Speaking of our chance to be saved, Jesus said, 1“whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” Those that live apart from God and instead build themselves up in the treasures of this earth or the lusts of the flesh are also denying Jesus. Because they have no part with Jesus in their day-to-day lives, God will deny their chance at salvation, before the angels in heaven. Lastly, if you knew that tonight was your last night before your death, would you be ready to meet Jesus, our Lord God, in judgment? Think about it!
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I know that I am very sick now and if you desired it, You would take me home. These pains bring me to tears and sorrow. Not of heartache of not being ready to meet You, for I long to be with You, but because in the flesh I suffer. This body of flesh causes me to feel much sadness and even depression because of my illness. You know it very well, Lord. I have expressed my concerns to You, many times and I know that if it is Your will, that I would be healed already. But it has not been so and therefore, I will live this life as is, with You at the head. Now, if it is my time, then take me Lord. Just please help me not be in so much pain. And help others not to be afflicted because of my sickness. I do not wish others to regret being around me. These are the thoughts I get in my mind Lord and I pray that You will take this sadness and grief and turn it all into gladness and joy. Only You can do this. I am weak, Lord, and need Your strength. Now, in all this, I trust in You. Whatever You would do in my life, I am ready to receive it and will walk in it, till the end of my days. I know that in the past, that I would not be ready if I was to die, but I can say that I am now. Because You have covered me through Your blood and forgiven all my sins, in death, I will run to You and rejoice. Forever, will I worship You, my King. I love You Lord. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Luke 12:1-21 (KJV)
1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
