Tragedy struck the
family of our former Prime Minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Losing a child has to be one
of the most heart wrenching experiences a man is called to endure. No matter how you
viewed his politics you couldn’t help feel sorry for what looked like a ghost of a
man splashed on the front pages of most newspapers. However, there is a more tragic story
revealed in the words of Trudeau’s former cabinet colleague, Serge Joyal, who said
that the ex-prime minister was "completely broken" by the loss of his son
"at a time in his life when he is trying to find peace." To have not known peace
is tragic, and what’s more, it could be too late!
This of course is not only true of Trudeau but is true of all who have
not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, our only peace. I can’t think of anything more
tragic than to be entering into the twilight of life, being able only to look forward to
the awful tomb, and to not know what lay beyond that awful tomb. I’m reminded of a
line from a hymn — "Religion Is the Chief Concern" — that we often
sing which reads, "Religion should our thoughts engage, Amidst our youthful bloom;
Twill fit us for declining age, And for the awful tomb."
Mr. Trudeau’s status in life, and the fact that he knows not
peace, should teach us all that all the power, wealth, friends of great worldly stature,
mean absolutely nothing when we begin to view the end of our lives — DEATH! Rich or
poor, strong or weak, socialite or hermit, shall all be visited by death for it is not a
respecter of persons.
Most of us don’t even want to talk about death. Yet the word of God teaches us
that we are to keep death in the forefront of our thinking. Young people are exhorted to
not forget their Creator in the days of their youth in light of the advancing years which
are to come upon them (Ecc 12.1). We are instructed that it is better to go into the house
of mourning than the house of feasting because there we learn our end (Ecc 7.2). The
Psalmist wrote: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason
of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is
soon cut off, and we fly away... So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom (Ps 90.10, 12)." He also requested, "LORD, make me to know
mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am (Ps
39.4)." Our days are measured out to us by God. Some get more than others, some get
less than others. Why? Only God knows. What is our’s to know is that we too shall
die. Are you ready to die? |
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Foolish question, some might say, but the apostle Paul was not only ready
to die, but looked forward to death (2 Tim 4.6-7; Php 1.23). The believer knows that death
has lost it’s sting, and that the grave has been robbed of it’s victory. Talk
about snatching victory from the jaws of death — this is precisely what Jesus did IN
death (1 Cor 15.55-57; Rom 5.6, 8-10)! What peace to know that Christ has overcome sin and
to know that though I die yet shall I live because my sins have been forgiven! Do you know
this peace?
If you don’t know this peace do not wait until you are 79 years
old to begin your search — it could be too late! The evangelical may well object to
what I have just stated but then they have never been too faithful in declaring the whole
counsel of God. The same counsel of God that says "the LORD’S hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:" says
that He withdraws His hand from the life of those who have refused Him time and again:
"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man
regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also
will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as
desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh
upon you (Pr 1.24-27)." God will LAUGH at us, who have spent our days in
disobedience, when our trouble comes! The wimpy Christ of "feel-good" theology
is a myth! God is not a God to be trifled with, He is not a magic genie wherein every wish
of man is His command. God calls the shots. The church in Thyatira had a member whose name
was Jezebel; an ungodly woman and God gave her "space" to repent of her
fornication. A space is a window of opportunity. Windows can be opened, and windows can be
closed. Esau discovered that God is control of the windows, not man: "For ye know how
that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found
no place of repentance, THOUGH he sought it carefully with tears (Heb 12.17)."
God has warned each of us, "While it is said, TODAY if ye will
hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (Heb 3.15)." By
delaying you harden your heart, as Pharaoh did his. The Bible teaches us that God gives up
those who constantly refuse His words: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools... Wherefore God also GAVE THEM UP to... For this cause God GAVE THEM UP unto... God
GAVE THEM over to a reprobate mind (Rom 1.22, 24, 26, 28)." A reprobate mind is a
"morally corrupt" mind incapable of understanding the gospel. They exchange the
true gospel for a corrupt pagan xmas celebration thinking this will pacify God. He ABHORS
such idolatrous worship.
Peace and rest is found only in coming to the Christ of the Bible! |
