Cancer Blog #47
By Brian Zimmerman
Begun on July 31, 2021
Email: dyingman1@yahoo.com
My Dying Words
Entry #47 – Death and Our Breath of Life
July 15, 2022
[Psalm 39:4-7 NASB95] 4 “LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 5 “Behold, You have made my days [as] handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. 6 “Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses [riches] and does not know who will gather them. 7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.”
Here is a wonderful prayer of the psalmist. He first asks God to help him to realize the shortness of his life, how fleeting it is. This is a great request to meditate on, a request that would change our lives, or our lifestyle at least. A request for God to help us not to lose perspective on our situation, to remember that our days are short, no matter how long they may feel.
Second, in verses 5-6, the psalmist describes the state of all men – they are a breath, as insubstantial as a shadow. They are in uproar on the one hand, and on the other acquire wealth but are unable to take it with them. Further, they cannot even be sure who would inherit it. I take from that idea that their children will be arguing over their accumulated money, but cannot accept the dying man’s directives or desires. Wealth is no guarantee of happiness; in fact, it may precipitate strife and hard feelings among the inheritors that would never have developed without its presence, indeed, even toward the benefactor who may have expected some gratitude.
Finally, in the third part, verse 7, we see where the psalmist lands in this account of brevity and trouble, and that is exactly where he should be, viz., waiting on and hoping in the Lord. What other sure hope do we have? What other certain treasure? One that will last throughout the ages, throughout all eternity. There is nothing in this age that will make it into the age that is yet to come. Our only sure treasure is the one our Lord is preparing for us, even now, before we die to be with Him.
So, be sure that you don’t focus on what you own or achieve in this age from a life of such short tenure: money, possessions, status, position, relationships even. They will last only as long as a breath, and are as substantial as a shadow. Put your hope in the King who is over governments, the Lord who is master of all of life. He is the only one who will give you an eternal possession. Your turmoil over the things of this age, your 401k and stocks and accumulated and amassed things, will not last, and will not be of any benefit at the final judgment that leads to your final state. Keep your perspective and your eye fixed on what is lasting and is eternal and so is of greatest importance.
Next: Death and our Frailty