AP

By James Jeffery

Something that keeps us up at night is thinking about our mortality. All of us have been lying in our bed contemplating our inescapable death. Because God has written eternity onto our hearts, we inevitably dwell on what comes after.

When we were younger, we may have been able to distract ourselves with work, friends, and hobbies. However, when we are alone in our bed — with nothing but our thoughts — death stares at us point blank. Along with death comes God’s judgment, which is why we avoid thinking about it so much.

Is Life a Tragedy?

In reading Ecclesiastes, we have pondered the fleeting nature of life. That is, the reality that we are here one moment, and gone the next. The author of Ecclesiastes likens our life to a cloud or a mist. The vapour appears for a second, and then vanishes into the air. Life is like this.

If there were nothing beyond this life, then life is ultimately meaningless. Thanks be to God, this is not the truth. We were made for a purpose, and there are no mere mortals.

The Meaning of Life

After searching the world for riches, wisdom, and pleasure, the author of Ecclesiastes came to understand the meaning of life. He tells us in Ecclesiastes 12:13 to “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

In other words, the reason we were created is to walk in fellowship with the God who made us. We do this by rightly fearing Him, and by obeying His commandments. However, there are two problems.

First, we have all failed at doing this, and we know from experience that not only have we failed but it is impossible to succeed in our own strength. How can we do what God commands?

Second, everyone who has broken God’s commands deserves justice for his sin. This includes all of us. How can we escape God’s judgment?

Jesus: Our Only Hope

There is only one man who perfectly feared God and kept His commandments: Jesus Christ. He lived the life we didn’t live, and died the death we deserve for our sin. He did this out of His great love for us, so that we wouldn’t live in fear of God’s judgment.

Those who trust in Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fear God and keep His commandments. This is the only way to experience joy and peace in life and death because it is what we were created for.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father,

We have failed to fear You and have broken all Your commandments. If it were not for Jesus Christ, our life would be lived in fear of Your judgment. Forgive us through Jesus Christ and empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live for You.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.