Shadrach
Oct 15th 2009, 04:24 PM
:bible: Deuteronomy 32:29, "Oh, that they were wise, … that they would consider their latter end!"
__________
After the airplane crashed, the 48 survivors found themselves on an unknown isolated island of harsh terrain, cruel weather, and dark secrets. It does make for a gripping television program, an intense story, which grabs our attention, and captures our imagination. Maybe because, for many of us, it's our worst nightmare. The horror of being lost, alone, and stranded in a dark, dangerous and unknown place. Not knowing where to go or what to do or who to trust! How would we survive? Like the characters on the show, we'd want ever so desperately to be found, rescued and saved. Yet, in a sense we’re all lost and alone in an increasingly uncertain and even threatening world. Oh, I grant you there is some good, some love, some heroism, some sacrifice; however, we also sense the often overwhelming presence of wickedness in and around us. Things do happen that we don't understand and can't even begin to explain. We struggle to survive, desperately searching for hope, purpose, meaning and direction while all the time feeling more and more lost and alone.
Maybe you’re at this very moment searching for hope, purpose, meaning and direction in your life, because you’re alone and hopelessly lost. My friend, if that’s the case, the good news is that the Bible tells us Jesus Christ "came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). He came to rescue us from the evil around us and the evil within our own hearts, the sin that separates us from God … pride, greed, selfishness, envy, hate. These things have damaged us and the world we live in, but "God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The Bible says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends" (John15:13). That's what Jesus did – He laid down His life for us. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin; He took the punishment in our place. Jesus made it possible for us to be restored to a right relationship with God. And it's in that relationship we find the courage and strength to face the challenges that come our way. It's in that relationship that we find meaning and purpose and direction for this life. And hope for the life to come. See, after His death on the cross, Jesus didn't stay in the grave. He rose from the dead in power and glory. He triumphed over death, and before He returned to heaven Jesus promised He would prepare a place for all who believe in Him, so they could join Him there some day (John 14:2-3)! A place where, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore" (Revelation 21:4). No more darkness and no more fear … only love, joy and peace-forever more!
__________
Further thoughts:
I will close with this very sobering story … in the spring of 1981; a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He took with him 400 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions. As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare. In August he wrote, "I think I should have used more foresight about arranging for my departure. I'll soon find out." In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out. You can also read about the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy that made a similar mistake. For a while they had all they needed, but they forgot that it was God who provided for them (Deuteronomy 32:15-18). It soon became obvious that they had given no thought to the outcome of worshiping false gods and living for their own enjoyment and pleasure. Their behavior brought God's judgment (vv. 19-25), because they had failed to "consider their latter end" (v. 29). My question would be this, "Have you thought about your latter end?" If you aren't prepared for the latter end, like the man in the above illustration, it would be very wise for you to prepare for it now. My friend, trusting Christ as Savior and living for Him is the only way to plan for the future. If you realize that you've been lost and you're ready to be found, if you want to be rescued and saved, pray something like this:
__________
Dear God, I know its true; I've been lost in sin, wandering further and further from You. Please forgive me. I do believe that Jesus died to take my punishment and keep me from being forever lost. Help me to live my life on this earth with hope and faith and courage, as I look forward to the day You take me home to be with You! Amen.
__________
After the airplane crashed, the 48 survivors found themselves on an unknown isolated island of harsh terrain, cruel weather, and dark secrets. It does make for a gripping television program, an intense story, which grabs our attention, and captures our imagination. Maybe because, for many of us, it's our worst nightmare. The horror of being lost, alone, and stranded in a dark, dangerous and unknown place. Not knowing where to go or what to do or who to trust! How would we survive? Like the characters on the show, we'd want ever so desperately to be found, rescued and saved. Yet, in a sense we’re all lost and alone in an increasingly uncertain and even threatening world. Oh, I grant you there is some good, some love, some heroism, some sacrifice; however, we also sense the often overwhelming presence of wickedness in and around us. Things do happen that we don't understand and can't even begin to explain. We struggle to survive, desperately searching for hope, purpose, meaning and direction while all the time feeling more and more lost and alone.
Maybe you’re at this very moment searching for hope, purpose, meaning and direction in your life, because you’re alone and hopelessly lost. My friend, if that’s the case, the good news is that the Bible tells us Jesus Christ "came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). He came to rescue us from the evil around us and the evil within our own hearts, the sin that separates us from God … pride, greed, selfishness, envy, hate. These things have damaged us and the world we live in, but "God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). The Bible says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends" (John15:13). That's what Jesus did – He laid down His life for us. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin; He took the punishment in our place. Jesus made it possible for us to be restored to a right relationship with God. And it's in that relationship we find the courage and strength to face the challenges that come our way. It's in that relationship that we find meaning and purpose and direction for this life. And hope for the life to come. See, after His death on the cross, Jesus didn't stay in the grave. He rose from the dead in power and glory. He triumphed over death, and before He returned to heaven Jesus promised He would prepare a place for all who believe in Him, so they could join Him there some day (John 14:2-3)! A place where, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore" (Revelation 21:4). No more darkness and no more fear … only love, joy and peace-forever more!
__________
Further thoughts:
I will close with this very sobering story … in the spring of 1981; a young man was flown into desolate northern Alaska to photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He took with him 400 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1,400 pounds of provisions. As the months passed, the words in his diary changed from wonder and fascination into a nightmare. In August he wrote, "I think I should have used more foresight about arranging for my departure. I'll soon find out." In November he died in a nameless valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An investigation revealed that though he had carefully planned his trip, he had made no provision to be flown out. You can also read about the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy that made a similar mistake. For a while they had all they needed, but they forgot that it was God who provided for them (Deuteronomy 32:15-18). It soon became obvious that they had given no thought to the outcome of worshiping false gods and living for their own enjoyment and pleasure. Their behavior brought God's judgment (vv. 19-25), because they had failed to "consider their latter end" (v. 29). My question would be this, "Have you thought about your latter end?" If you aren't prepared for the latter end, like the man in the above illustration, it would be very wise for you to prepare for it now. My friend, trusting Christ as Savior and living for Him is the only way to plan for the future. If you realize that you've been lost and you're ready to be found, if you want to be rescued and saved, pray something like this:
__________
Dear God, I know its true; I've been lost in sin, wandering further and further from You. Please forgive me. I do believe that Jesus died to take my punishment and keep me from being forever lost. Help me to live my life on this earth with hope and faith and courage, as I look forward to the day You take me home to be with You! Amen.