LIFE IS FRAGILE

I’m once again overwhelmed by the reality of how fragile life is. Both believers and unbelievers alike are dreading the reality of death, and how it is a respecter of no one. Most of the comments of people I talk to hides an undeniable truth, that they are anxious and fearful of death. Nobody wants to die! Especially when you are not ready to meet your creator. For believers, the reasons could be multiple. Why would a believer fear death? You could maybe add your thoughts in the comments below.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed so many hidden realities within people’s lives. Scripture is filled with the reality of how fragile life is. That it is truly appointed for man to die once. The problem is just that we do not know when and how. I’ll mention a few scriptures that testifies to the fact that we do not know how much time we have here on earth.

Psalm 39:5 (NKJV) Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

Psalm 62:9 NKJV Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.

Many scholars believe that Psalm 39 was composed by David. At this moment in David’s life he was experiencing some unknown affliction and trouble in his life. The one truth that David realised is that we are participants in the grand scheme called life, but that we are not in control of life. Man with all his genius and enginuity, does not control life. We cannot manufacture blood, neither can we produce water, two natural life sources.

David was further struggling with the issue of injustice, prejudice and the major point of contention for many people, which is; “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

The first comment David makes in this regard is that man’s days is but as a handbreadth. Literally the width of one’s palm. David understood that our lives in comparison with eternity is short and brief. Think about this again, it’s short and brief. This temporal life, our now-reality is like vapour. He continues by saying that this life is as nothing. That is, it is so short that it seems to be nothing at all, before the Creator.

My main thought is expressed in the latter part of the verse which says, “Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity or vapour.” This is what a life lived without God is, vanity and vapour. No amount of profit or success is more valuable than a relationship with Jesus Christ. Being born again and being sanctified is the ultimate first priority of life.

My pause for thought for today is simple and basic. The spirit of fear can only be overcome when you and I have the guarantee that when we die, we are ready to meet our Maker. If you are uncertain of salvation you can make a life-changing eternal decision by repenting and turning from sin and understanding that without faith in Jesus Christ we will be guilty on the Day of Judgement.

God Bless

R v Staden