Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"The Death Clock"
August 1, 2018
(Jesus said) "Because I live, you also will live."
~ John 14:19b (ESV)
Properly used, the internet is a wonderful thing. To have ready access to the world's greatest library, most beautiful art, most wonderful music, and most brilliant literature is a blessing beyond words. On the other hand, the internet is a place where almost anything goes.
That being said, I believe I recently stumbled upon the worldwide web's most depressing webpage. It is entitled the Poodwaddle World Health Clock with Diseases. The whole purpose of the clock is to keep track of how many people die, and what do they die from. It is a grim reminder that the clock is ticking away the minutes and months, the days and years of our lives.
Now for many people the day of their demise is a frightening proposition. They are unsure of what is going to happen, unconvinced that everything is going to be all right.
I can understand why they are afraid. Jesus is not at their sides.
My friends, you can be ready -- you will be ready -- if Jesus is standing at your side when death arrives. When death came for Peter and Paul during the Roman persecutions, Jesus was there. Some time ago, when a misguided swordsman beheaded some Christians in Somalia, Jesus was there, too.
All those souls were victorious because the risen Jesus was there. Like St. Paul, they could say, "I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
Which really is the point of this message: Jesus keeps coming back. It's not all that important if you know when the end of the whole world is going to happen and when Jesus is going to judge the living and the dead. The truth is the Bible is clear. You're never going to know that unknown hour.
What is important is for you to be prepared for that moment when your personal end comes, for you to be ready for that day when death shows up and points his bony finger at you. On that day, if you have faith in Jesus as your Savior, it will not be frightening. His victory will be yours.
When I began this message I set the Poodwaddle death clock. Since this message began, the clock said death has come for 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360.
Death is coming. Statistically speaking, some of you reading this devotion will not be among the living a week from now. Are you ready? Is your family ready? Your friends? Death is coming for you. But you don't have to face it alone. Jesus, who has, with His glorious resurrection, managed to defeat death, has promised to do the same for you. He says it plainly, "Because I live, You shall live also."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, death is coming, but I am not afraid. I am not afraid because my Savior has also come and given His life to rescue me. For that act of love, I will praise Him in eternity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by the following online resource. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock/hea1/
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Properly used, the internet is a wonderful thing.
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