GIVE ME THE BAD NEWS!
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· 29 viewsIn this lesson we learn the benefit of being reminded that life is fleeting and death is inevitable.
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Introduction
Introduction
Lord, Make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; That I may know how frail I am.
“Tell me, what’s going on, God? How long do I have to live? Give me the bad news!
David is basically praying, “Lord, remind me that I am going to die.” That may sound really strange, but that’s the drift of what David is praying. He’s basically inviting God to remind him of the frailty and brevity of life.
David is basically asking God to remind him that his days are short (i.e. he is going to die). I know that sounds strange, morbid, depressing and even borderline insensitive, but the truth is we’re going to die. (If we can’t talk about death at a funeral, where can we talk about it?)
Who prays and asks God to remind them that they’re going to die?
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
“Lord, help me be a better husband/wife. Teach me to love my neighbor… Oh, and don’t forget to remind me that I’m going to die.” Huh?!
). Sometimes this decree comes because of judgment. Sometimes it comes because of violence, or old age, accident, disease or just because. There is one thing we do know, you don’t need to be in a car to die, or in a plan. You don’t need to be diagnosed with a disease or be the victim of a crime to die. Death comes upon us all, and we cannot avoid it. Get used to it. And never forget it.
Sometimes this decree comes because of judgment. Sometimes it comes because of violence, or old age, accident, disease or just because. There is one thing we do know, you don’t need to be in a car to die, or in a plan. You don’t need to be diagnosed with a disease or be the victim of a crime to die. Death comes upon us all, and we cannot avoid it. Get used to it. And never forget it.
I know it sounds strange to have someone tell you this. We’re not used to people speaking to us so plainly about things like death and dying. The world doesn’t want us to think about death because it will only spoil our fun. The devil certainly doesn’t want us thinking about death, especially since he’s the one who first told Eve, “You shall not surely die.” So, he’s doing everything he can to keep us “amused” or not thinking. The word “amusement” is a compound word formed from “muse” (to think) and the prefix “a,” which is a negative that means “no” or “not”. So, to be “amused” means to “not think.” This is the reason why so many turn to drugs or alcohol when a loved one dies—they are trying not to think about it!
We’re not used to people speaking to us so plainly about things like death and dying. No one likes to think about death because it might spoil their fun. Not even the devil wants us to think about the realities of death. Remember he is the one who told Eve, “You shall not surely die!” Therefore, he’s trying to keep us “amused” or not thinking about death.
The word “amusement” is a compound word formed from “muse” (to think) and the prefix “a” (a negative that means “no” or “not”). So, to be “amused” means to “not think.” This is the reason people turn to drugs/alcohol when someone dies—they want to be “amused” (not think about the problem).
David was doing the exact opposite when he asked God this question. Instead of sitting around “not thinking” David was busy “musing” or thinking!
My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned: Then spake I with my tongue, Lord, Make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; That I may know how frail I am.
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It’s good to think about the brevity of one’s life for we learn the following:
TO PREPARE
TO PREPARE
Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: And because I will do this unto thee, Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
When we understand the brevity of life, we are more likely to set your house (domestic AND spiritual affairs) in order. So many people meet God unprepared. Easily the most important meeting we will ever have, and we go into it lacking adequate preparation? Not only that, but we leave our families unequipped to handle the financial burden caused by our death! Why? We DON’T THINK it will happen to us. Like people is New Orleans who wouldn’t evacuate because they DIDN’T THINK Katrina would be all that bad.
TO BE LESS ATTACHED TO THINGS
TO BE LESS ATTACHED TO THINGS
Be Less Attached To Things
Be Less Attached To Things
Be Less Attached To Things
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Those who understand that this world is “passing away” will not “possess” (hold fast) to anything in this world. When you know time is short and when you know that you cannot take these things with you, you develop a different mentality.
TO SERVE GOD
TO SERVE GOD
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Motivates you to serve
Motivates you to serve
Opportunities to do good in this life are few.
I like to watch the show “Chopped.” Chopped is a cooking game show where contestants are given mystery ingredients and have to use them in a creative way to make a dish. They are given unlimited access to a pantry, but they only have a short amount of time to complete their dish. Afterwards they are evaluated by a panel of judges. You should see how busy they are. They don’t mess around.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Conclusion
Conclusion
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
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We are not to “possess” (hold fast) to anything in this world for fear that we can’t let go. When you know your time is short and when you know that you cannot take these things with you, you learn to develop a different mentality.
I echo David’s sentiment and pray that God reminds each of us that life is short. Just thinking about these things can have a profound effect upon our behavior. I’m reminded of Hezekiah who, after learning he was about to die, “turned his face to the wall” and went into a time of consecration. But, we don’t have to go that far back. Some of us can think back just a few months or a few days when we were reminded of just how short and fragile life can be.
I pray that we all God will make us to know our end that we might become more humble, watchful and hopefully more holy (at least for a short time)! Whatever time we spend being humble or holy is time well spent.