Living Like This Was Your Last Day!

“Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord, hear my urgent cry.” (Psalm 86:6 NLT)

What’s “the MOST” important thing you must do today? This isn’t a “trick” question. It will vary from person to person, but categorically, how do you make decisions? Then how do you prioritize them, so the most important ones get your undivided attention and get accomplished?

Much of the time we’re tyrannized by the “urgent,” to the displacement of the important. The AC goes out and it’s 115 degrees outside; the car breaks down; the toilet overflows; the baby won’t stop crying – I get it, the list is virtually endless. But one day none of that will matter. Why not? Because you won’t be around to care.

What if you got a word from the Lord and He said: “Today’s the day!” And the way most of us roll, we’re prone to ask: “What day is that Lord?” “THE day!” He responds. “Oh,” we say with amazement, “THAT day!”

It’s uncommon, but in Scripture the Lord sometimes let people know the end of their lives was coming soon. The Apostle Paul talked about the end of his “race” being at hand. The Prophet Elijah made a very dramatic exit from this earth to be with God. My granddad knew. There are others, but what if you knew this was going to be your last day on planet earth? What might you do differently?

Perhaps you think that’s a little far-fetched, but we need to realize that we have no promise of tomorrow. This could be the day of the Lord’s return, or it may just be the day for us to bid farewell to our life on earth. It’s definitely coming, why not think about it and make sure we’re ready?

King David, author of the verse above, continued his prayer by saying: “Teach me Your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise You, O Lord my God. I will give glory to Your name forever, for Your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.” (Psalm 86: 11-13 NLT)

Let’s draw a few things from these verses that will help us be prepared for our last day, whether it’s today or years down the road.

First, Learn God’s ways. Let the Holy Spirit give you the priorities for each day. How will He teach you? Primarily through His Word. There’s no substitute for reading and studying the Bible if you want to learn God’s ways.

Second, Live according to God’s truth. You won’t know God’s truth unless and until you make reading and studying the Bible a daily priority. Additionally, connect with a Christ-centered, Bible believing church fellowship and watch the lives of those who are “walking the walk.” The Apostle Paul said: “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

Third, Grant me purity of heart. That’s a desire that God gives us, but we can never accomplish by ourselves. Only God can give us purity of heart, but it’s something we should pursue every day through prayer and submission to the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

Fourth, Give glory to God for all He’s done for you. To me, ingratitude is among my greatest sins. When I fail to be grateful for all God means to me and all He’s given to me, it’s as if I’m taking credit for those things myself. If Jesus has rescued us from our sins and filled us with His Holy Spirit, our life should exude gratitude to Him and love for others.

When these things are among our daily habits, we can echo the words in Revelation 22:20b: “Even so, Lord Jesus come!”

Regardless of what day it is, we’re “packed” and ready to go to our new home in heaven!

Blessings, Ed 😊