God and Me: Devotions from Time of GraceExemplo

God and My Deathbed

"Life is short--eat dessert first," read the sign. Perhaps you've seen it or one like it, such as its variation, "Life's too short to . . ." (there follows some frugal or sacrificial behavior that you are encouraged to abandon, the idea being that we should eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die).

Actually, life is short. Psalm 39 offers a grave rebuke to all who drift along in their lives, putting off worrying about their relationship with God for another day: "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. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro" (Psalm 39:5,6).

That means first things first. Now is the day of salvation; now is the moment for repentance of sin and faith in Christ Jesus. "The night is nearly over; and the day is almost here," Paul wrote in Romans 13:12. Does that sound morbid? Not at all! In fact, it is liberating to realize that we are but stewards of God's treasures and servants of God's people. Set free from the fear of death by the death of Christ, we can enjoy every day knowing that an unlimited supply awaits us on the other side of the grave.