The truth is, “it is appointed unto man once to die and after death, the judgement”. We must, therefore, be careful how we live under the sun. I want to share with you one powerful lesson that can transform your living.
[Ecclesiastes 9:7-12 KJV] “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. [8] Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.”
[9] “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. [10] Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
[11] “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. [12] For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.”
It is important to understand that death and judgement are inevitable. One day we shall all go and face the Judge; there is no need to rush. More importantly “the race of life is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;” but in fact, there is a time and chance (calamity or opportunity) arranged and booked for every man. The worst truth is that none of us knows his or her time or chance. The best you can do is to be ready. So then do the following whenever you see the dawn of day;
- Embrace each day with gratitude and thankfulness
- Eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart
- Groom with integrity, fragrance, and style
- Enjoy with the wife of your youth
- Do whatever your hands have found to do with all your might
Do you know why I am teaching you this?
Listen, no matter what is going on, be grateful for life. There is hope for a loving dog than a dead lion. Many families wish their loved ones are still here with us. Let us be grateful for life and know that the best is yet to come. Many are wishing that they had the opportunity to see this day. Let us strive to make the most of this day; especially preparing for eternity.
Secondly, a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things he has. Beyond that, we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out. When you die, you will leave everything behind. A man once said don’t buy the earth with your blood and pay with your soul. Wise up!
Thirdly, there is no work nor device in the grave where you are going. Let us do what we can do right here. We have limited time. You must do all you can do now. Time is not on our side.
I have no doubt that the Lord will bless and keep you. He will never put you to shame; let us continue to trust Him.
I love you
Pastor Noah Simpe Bediako
