And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. – Hebrews 9:27
Yesterday I was listening to a local radio program that tells about recent deaths, births, and birthdays in our area. One of the hosts gave the name of a person who had died, but what caught my attention was that he stated the death was “unexpected.” I know the phrase “unexpected death” is used commonly to describe a person who has died from an unforeseen illness or accident. Yet, the comment stuck with me. I have been thinking about it since I heard it. I wondered, Did she not expect to die some day? Even though everyone knows our human bodies are fragile and will not live forever, it still seems death comes to many unexpectedly.
As today’s focus verse points out, all of us will die someday (unless, of course, the Rapture happens first). Any of us could be taken from this world at any time—we can expect that! Even more importantly, if we are expecting to die, we ought to be prepared for it. The focus verse also says that after death we will face judgment. We not only need to plan on death, but also on being judged by God immediately after. We will have to stand before Him and give an account of the choices we made during our lifetimes.
Not long ago, my husband’s grandmother passed away. We have no doubt that she is walking the streets of gold today! This is because she had made plans for her own death; she gave her heart to Jesus at age fifteen, and lived a life that was all about her blessed Savior. She was a prayer warrior who interceded for many of us, and she was an example of a life totally consecrated to God. When we live like that, we not only expect this life to end, but we look forward to the reward awaiting us in eternity!
Only God knows whether we have many years or just a few moments left on this earth, but we all know that our time is limited and it will pass quickly. May we constantly keep this fact in mind as we make decisions about how to live and what to do with our time. Like my husband’s grandmother and many other faithful saints who have passed on, when we stand before God someday we want to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”