Fearing Death

 Are we fearing for our lives? If we look at Scripture, God assures us that our life is short – even for Christians. “Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.” (Psalm 103:15, NLT)

This past week my sister-in-law passed away at the age of sixty-one. As a family it seemed like she died too young. My son passed away at the age of twenty-eight -- a great tragedy and far too young. At least, it seemed so to us. My sister went to be with the Lord at the age of four and a half years. What can we say?

Each of these deaths seem untimely. People should grow to an old age! This, however, is really not true. God already has our days numbered from the day we are born.

When I took my son in my arms for the first time on the day he was born, I never imagined that I would only enjoy him for twenty-eight years. When his daughter was born, nobody imagined that she would only enjoy her daddy for six weeks. God, on the other hand, was not taken by surprise. For the greater good of everyone concerned, God already had this planned out.

To us, all of this seems like a tragedy; but God reminds us over and over again that we are not guaranteed a long life. Because of sin, death came into the world, and now we suffer the loss of loved ones. We go through sickness and suffer accidents and see our days cut short. All this should make us think more on the life that awaits us in his presence as children of God and of the need to prepare for that life rather than hanging onto this life that we enjoy now. Not that there is anything wrong with reveling in the life God has given us or in living it to the fullest for His honor and glory. However, clinging to it as if it were all we had and complaining to God because we think it is unjust when He shortens it or takes away a loved one should not be the reaction of a Christian.

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, what is in the hearts of a lot of believers has come to the surface. I have seen Christians evidencing a panic over coming down with COVID-19. (As a family we have already gone through this sickness, and I don’t wish it on anyone.) In the end, God will decided whether we get sick or not. If God in his love and the perfect plans for our lives so wills it, why do we resist? Could it be that we are more interested in this world, like Lot’s wife, than in fulfilling God’s plans for His honor and glory?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not against being prudent and taking precautions or taking care of my health in as much as it is in my ability knowing that God gave me this life to live for Him. However, what worries me is the fear, panic or even terror that some are showing.

What is also sad is that before this pandemic many were living not thinking that when they left home they could lose their lives in a car accident or some other calamity (and by the way, thousands lose their lives in car accidents and we don’t panic or quit driving cars). It seems like few were living with the thought that they could come down with cancer unknowingly and have their lives drastically shortened. Now, however, that the governments of our world have launched a campaign based on creating fear, we listen to them more than to our God who warned us of our impending death thousands of years ago and yet we closed our ears to His warning.

 

I am not sure about you, but I consider God to be someone that is more trustworthy as a source of information than the governments of our times. My life is a whole lot less secure if I don’t live it for Him. Think of Jonah.

So many people without Christ are living in panic, and they have a good reason to do so. Might we be isolating ourselves, as people of God, so much so that we cannot be a blessing to these who live in danger of dying eternally and or help those in need? Does our fear keep us from helping our fellowmen in these times of need in the way that Christ commanded us to do so?

I know of a case where a sister in Christ came down with COVID-19. Her neighbor across the hall, a Christian, spent time criticizing her because she left her apartment to seek medical help. There was not one Christian, even though many knew of her situation, who offered to take her to the doctor. She had to take public transportation, something for which she was also criticized, and walk down the street in awful pain and suffering. Her neighbor never sent her a text asking if she was in need of food or medications. She was more motivated by fear than by Christ’s love.

I state it once again. We do need to take precautions and not put ourselves in unnecessary risk, but to leave off fulfilling the greatest commandment of all which is to love each other as Christ has loved us is not God’s way.

As I tried to teach my children from an early age, we never know how long we have to live. Even young people can die. We need to live our lives to glorify God. Even though I am not perfect, that is the way I am seeking to live my life. In the end, my desire is to live in God’s presence and to take as many people along with me to glory.

Face to face I shall behold Him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory,

I shall see Him by and by.

                        Mrs. Frank A Breck