Count Your TodaysSample

PERHAPS TODAY?

We all know that we will die one day. It is guaranteed. We are even vaguely aware that we may die today. But what would it be like to know it for certain?

That is exactly what happened to King Hezekiah. “About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness’” (2 Kings 20:1, NLT). Wow. And just like that, everything changed for Hezekiah.

All the plans he made were worth nothing. Everything he accumulated or worked for was irrelevant. And no medical intervention would help, because God Himself had decided that Hezekiah's last day on earth would arrive soon.

I like this quote by Tony Anthony. “Live each day as though it’s your last, because one day you’ll be right.” It may not necessarily be the most pleasant thought to entertain daily, but getting into the habit of living each day to the fullest adds value and richness to our lives.

Do you sometimes wish today could pass quickly so tomorrow can arrive? Do you ever consider the fact that today may be your last day? How would it change your plans and attitude if you knew for certain?

Over the next few days, we will find ways to transform the way we think about the value of today. It won't be a message born out of fear, for our last days were already planned before the first. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16, NLT).

But I hope that when our last day arrives, we will meet the Lord with peace in our hearts over each precious moment we spent on his beautiful earth. “God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace” (1 Peter 1:2, NLT).