Why is it we are willing to plan for retirement or a new car or a vacation but not for what happens when we die? We should all get past denial of death and accept that we will all die… we may not know when or how, but it will happen. Many avoid thinking about the topic of their own death because it makes them uncomfortable. However, this is a bit like an ostrich putting its head in the sand to hide from trouble. They feel better, but it does little to protect them.
We do well to prepare ourselves and our families for death in its proper context. Of course this includes financial planning and making a will and other logistical aspects of providing for those we may leave behind, but it is more than that. Should we not spend at least as much time thinking about where we will go after we die as we do thinking about where we may live when we retire? Eternity will last much longer than retirement, I assure you.
“Should I fear death?” It is a penetrating question that many struggle with. Others avoid it all together. The answer truly comes down to one of personal faith. For those of us who truly believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we need not fear death. We can trust that God’s promises are true and we will go to be with Him when we die. We can also trust that He is in control and can protect us as His faithful servants if He chooses to do so.
Let us first consider Psalm 23. Read the whole scripture but focus in particular on verses 4 and 6. It reminds us that we need not fear even when we face death and that after goodness and lovingkindness of God follow me all the days of this life… I will go to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The LORD, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
1The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Consider also the faith of Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-nego. They were confronted with a demand to worship an idol or be thrown into a furnace to die. They believed that God would save them, but were prepared to die if God may choose not to save them. That is faith that does not fear death.
16Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
There are more examples you can study as well such as Paul and Daniel, but I will not try to include them all here in this article. For those that have rejected God or do now know Him, then death may truly be a frightening topic for there is no hope for them. Suffice it to say that the only way to truly prepare to face death is to come to know the Creator of the universe personally and accept His offer of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.
If you are not sure of your relationship with Him, now is a great time to seek Him out, by reaching out to us on our Contact Us page of our website or by reaching out to other Christians you know. Start planning for eternity today.
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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.