JOB 14:1-2 – Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.”
THEME OF THE DAY: A FLOWER AND A SHADOW. When was the last time we stopped and likened our lives to how Job describes them in today’s scripture – short-lived, full of turmoil, withers as quickly as a flower, and fades as suddenly as a shadow? Puts serious perspective on life, doesn’t it? It should stop us in our current tracks and do some deep and honest self-examination. Here are three questions we may use for the purpose of self-examination.
In light of our short-lived and quickly fading life, are we exclusively and whole-heartedly trusting Jesus Christ alone through grace alone by faith alone revealed by scripture alone for God’s glory alone? The main issue in all of life is salvation, to be born again (John 3:1-22). Nothing is more important than to know we are trusting Christ, His life, death, and resurrection, to meet our greatest need – forgiveness and reconciliation to God. The Apostle Paul wrote of this in his second letter to the Corinthian believers – Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Make sure this is settled in our souls and with God before anything else in life.
Next, how are we using the precious resource of time in this life? Again from the pen of the Apostle Paul – Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Where our time is spent tells us who is capturing our hearts and guiding our lives. And the choice is either us or the Lord Jesus. Don’t waste the only life we have on the wrong things and priorities. Nor are we to measure success by what is accomplished and achieved in this life. No, our time should be spent in ways that will result in the Lord’s approval on Judgment Day.
Final question for self-examination about life is this – “Are we praying God will show us how fleeting life is?” This is important because we don’t think enough about our lives being a withering flower or fading shadow until it is too late. David helps us toward this type of praying, “Lord, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am” (Psalm 39:4).
As we march into the new year, let’s strive to do some thorough self-examination about life. And do so with urgency. Remember, we only get to do life once. We must make it count for what really matters!
PRAYER: “Father, make me to know how fleeting life is and that I don’t waste it on the wrong things.”
QUOTE: “Don’t measure success in life by what is accomplished in this world but what will matter on Judgment Day.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim