Live in the Lord: die in the Lord
If I ascend to heaven you are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. Psalm 139:8
Read Romans 14:7—9
Jesus Christ came so that I can live in him. Equally, Jesus came so that I can die in him.[1] Both make all the difference. Now it is possible for me to say that one day I will die and it will be all right. But I also need to be able to say that about the days when I live, because I don’t always. Let that change. Let me not just die in the Lord, but really live in the Lord. Really claim this day as the day of his blessing. Look back on it and see his presence in it, in very concrete ways. If my faith in Christ is the best way I have to approach death, so my faith in Christ is the best way I have to approach life. As I finish the active part of another day it will be good for me to pray for those whose lives are close to their end, that they may have this same assurance.
Father, you chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world.[2] You came to me in Christ. He delivered on your promise. He did that not for me alone, but for the world. I thank you that Jesus has taken the regret out of life. He has freed my life for your purpose. I thank you if I can see your purpose in what has happened today. I see it where Jesus seems to have been my companion at one point or another. And, since I know that one day will be the day of my death, I pray for my friends who are close to their last day, and ask that by your grace and the witness of the faithful they may have their confidence firmly in Jesus Christ.
[1] Philippians 1:21
[2] Ephesians 1:4