"If You Knew?"

  If you knew you would face your death tomorrow, what would you do? Would you give advice to your loved ones? Would you be upset? What would you say to your friends? What would be the most important thing to you? Would you speak of the places you visited or places you wished you had? What would you say?

  King David, before his final breath spoke to his son Solomon giving him sound advice. David had experienced so much from war, to situations that were life threatening evening facing a giant of a man but he knew his own mortality and spent his life after the heart of God. David sat down with his son Solomon and DID NOT advise him how to rule. David did not speak of the family inheritance or his accomplishments. He pointed his son in one direction: "I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong therefore, and show yourself a man. Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn." (I Kings 2:2-3)

  Of all the things David could have said, the last words his son heard from his fathers lips was pointing him to Jehovah God and heeding His word! David wanted his son to be a man of character, integrity and be strong acting like a godly man. What sound advice!

  The apostle Paul sent two letters to Timothy, his spiritual child. As Paul's life drew to a close, Paul advised Timothy: "For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance." (I Tim. 4:8-9) Godliness is the most profitable thing to pursue. As Paul ends his second letter he reminds Timothy: "In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing." (II Tim. 4:8)

  The man was 68 yrs. of age and had only been in Christ for 5 months. Cancer was taking his life. Each day he read from God's word and was rejoicing that he belonged to Christ Jesus now. As his life came to a close, he called his family to his side. His wife, two sons and a daughter stood by him as his physical life was leaving his body. Tenderly he called on each one: "Find the Lord before it's too late!" His wife had never obeyed the gospel. He pleaded with her not to harden her heart. He told his children that he had never taught them the Lord and wanted them to know the Lord was the most important thing in life. That was the last words they heard from their husband and father.

  What about you? What are you presently living for? What are your ambitions? What are you teaching your family? Whatever means the most to you that's what you will expend your life for and talk about. If you knew you would face your death tomorrow, what would you do?