We senior citizens are very much as teenagers are – invincible and immortal, in our own eyes. Oh, we do recognize actuarial tables and know that the time ahead is much less than the time behind, which teenagers do not.
But we are no more prepared for the loss of friends. Last week was the funeral of a kind, loving grandfather no more than a year older than we are. Last week a close and dear friend of the same age suffered a stroke. Both events brought home the frailness and mortality of mankind.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (1 Peter 1:24 KJV)
And that was not new with Peter, for he surely heard the scripture: The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: (Isaiah 40:6 KJV)
I do enjoy Paul’s descriptive writing in First Corinthians’ fifteenth chapter. Truly, he did show us a mystery. Our Youth Choir has a song including the phrase “It will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye …” Even before that last trump, life changes from moment to moment.
So, are we prepared? Do we believe there is something after that last trump? Oh, yes! I most certainly do. I have been given a book containing promises from God. Containing the history of His chosen people. Containing mysteries that frighten, yet provide hope that builds faith.
A faith that can take Paul’s statement: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14 KJV) and know that our faith is not in vain, that Christ is risen. Know that God has promised we will, too. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV)
So, ask as Moses wrote, is there anything like God’s promises? For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? (Deuteronomy 4:32 KJV)
If not, then Peter’s suggestion is a good one: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16 KJV)
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