March 30, 2009 The Seed And The Flower
Today’s Bible Reading: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15
Scripture Focus:
Psalm 39:4 Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am.
1 Corinthians 15:42–44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Observation:
My father’s birthday was this month. He would have been 86. He died 7 years ago at the age of 78. My father appeared strong and invincible to me when I was young, and even after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and retired from being a missionary, he stayed active and busy helping others.
There came a point, though, when my father’s body was spent, and he came to the threshold that we must all walk across, unless we’re still alive when Jesus returns.
David says, in Psalm 39, make me know the measure of my days, but Paul lets us know that the end is just the beginning. He tells us that our frail human body is to our new body after death what a seed is to a flower. There’s no comparison, really.
Application:
First, be aware of the hourglass of time. Don’t let the grains of sand slip thoughtlessly away. Do the things that matter. And secondly, don’t be afraid when the end comes. Unbelievable beauty awaits those who have put their trust in the God who raises the dead.
Prayer:
Father God, show me what matters today, and help me to do it.
