DECEMBER 18, Hebrews 9:27-28 

Nobody likes to be reminded that one day their lives will end. We can avoid thinking and talking about death, but it does not change the fact that we will still die one day. Death has no respect for anyone. You may be young or old, rich or poor, nevertheless death can come knocking on your door at any time.

Death is one appointment that we will never be late for. God has already decided the date, time and place where we will die. Just as we do not have control over when we are born, we have no control over when we will die. Our times are in the hands of God. Many think that they can prolong their days on earth by eating and exercising well. While this may help to keep their bodies fit, it has no influence over the appointment of their death. Our days are numbered. When it is our appointed time to die, nothing can stop it from happening. You may ask, what happens after that?

After death comes judgment. God will judge every person and hold him accountable for his life on earth. If you think that standing before your parents, teacher or school principal to answer for some misdeeds is scary, that is nothing compared to what it will be like standing before a holy and powerful God! God sees through us and we cannot hide away from His eyes. Our lives will be as an open book before Him, and He will call us to answer for how we have lived. What are the consequences of His judgment? There is only one way that we ought to go because of our sins. We deserve to pay the penalty of our sins in hell. If God sent all mankind there, He would still be righteous, just and good. But the amazing thing is that He provided a way of escape!

This only way of escape from eternal death, is salvation in Christ. He bore the sins of many on the cross and died in our place. What a heavy burden that must have been for Him! It was for the joy of our salvation that made Jesus endure the cross and despise the shame of a cruel death. He rose from the grave and now lives at God’s right hand in heaven! Jesus will appear again one day. For all who believed in Him and longed for His return, it will be a joyous occasion. But for those who disregarded God and His offer of salvation in Christ, they will need to pay for their own sins in hell. When we face up to the reality of death and its consequences, we will know how much we need Christ as our Saviour.

Thought: If I were to die tonight, how would God judge me?

Prayer:Father in heaven, I acknowledge that my times are in Your hands and that all my days are numbered. Therefore, help me not to waste my life away in sin but to live with eternity’s perspective in view. In Jesus’ name, Amen.