Days of our lives_God and us Written by Sherry Fowler
These are the days of our lives…
Written by Sherry Fowler April 5, 2009
A time of reflection comes to most everyone eventually... and somehow this awakens us to a universal truth; that no man or woman can avoid the end of their mortal days on this earth. For most of us this reality is accepted, tucked away into the back our minds, and not often talked about. Frankly, it makes life now more enjoyable not to take into account that the end of life for us could be this very day. But this need not disturb us… God saw fit to address the brevity of mortal life, and bring us hope through His word and the gift of eternal life.
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6
These words were spoken by King David. In them is found the truth of our condition as believers; that God, and all that He is (Good and Love), is with us always, and we will one day leave this earth to partake in a home of rest, in the presence of God. There is nothing in this verse that says life is to be continuously joy-filled. History shows us that David had far from a happy life, but through it all, God was his core, and the king lived in pursuit of his eternity.
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
King David also asked God about the obvious observance of aging in Psalm 39:4-5, "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.” Then David shares his understanding in Psalm 139:16, that God has given each of us a certain number of days on this earth, “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
These passages reveal to us God’s handiwork and affirm that from the moment we are conceived, we begin our eternal life. Leonardo Da Vinci is quoted as saying, “While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die.” And I would add to this epiphany that if we are learning how to die, it is only so we may enter into eternity with blessing.
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:12
God left commands, that if obeyed come with promises of blessing, such as Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” And 1 Peter 3:10 echoes, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.” As flawed as we are, we must admit we cannot attain such an honorable life on our own strength.
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7
It was Jesus Christ’s humble life and victory over death that makes available to us, the gift of eternal blessing. He understood the hardship of keeping from temptation and submitting his will to the Father, and is the most perfect example of how to live in fullness of purpose. We need only to listen and obey…
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." John 6:27
God also captured in scripture ageless reminders from King Solomon that we only have a short while here on earth, and it is to be enjoyed, not squandered away on material wealth. We would all do well to pursue the good, loving and peaceful things God provides all around us to fill the days of our lives. Consider Solomon’s findings in Ecclesiastes 5:15, 18-20:
“Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand… Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15