In the book of Psalms, the sons of Korah once described the thoughts of a foolish man. In part, they said, “Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names” (Psalm 49:11). In other words, the foolish man does not consider his own death. He thinks as though he will live forever.
Several years ago, I was gifted a Roman coin from 118 A.D. bearing the image of the Roman emperor, Hadrian. This coin was nearly 2000 years old! As I held that coin in my hand, I wondered who used to own it. I wondered how he obtained it; did he work for it, inherit it, or was it stolen? I’ll never know the answers to those questions, but what I did know is that it was his, but now it is mine. Then the thought hit me; just as it was once his, then mine, so will what is now mine belong to someone else.
I believe it is spiritually healthy and biblical to consider such thoughts (Psalm 90:10-12). The acknowledgment of our mortality serves to prepare us for our appointment with God. It is hard to focus on going “home” when our “inner thoughts” are that we are already home.
Nearly every year for the past 40 years that I have been preaching, I have, in January, said that some people hearing me preach would not be among the living 365 days from now. That prediction has never failed, and one day, I will be the one to fulfill it.
Friends, as you begin this new year, don’t be foolish. Rather, entertain the possibility that this might be your last year, and in view of this possibility, live, love, repent, and work as if your eternity hangs in the balance, for it does.
Steve Higginbotham