Knowledge shall expire.
Life will cease.
Wealth will fail.
Strength will wane.
Influence shall melt away.
Beauty shall fade.
Nothing in this world lasts…but the Word of God stands.
I feel sorry for those who trust in these things and flaunt them over others for attention. You who are alive today, do you know what tomorrow holds for you?
You who are beautiful today, behold, the older women around you were more beautiful in their prime; but see how they look now. Does it tell you something?
I know many people who were once very rich…yet died poor. In the various cemeteries of this world are the tombs of once great men and women renowned for knowledge, beauty, wealth, wisdom, and influence…but who remembers them?
Where is the tomb and remains of the great Nebuchadnezzar? Where are the resting places of the great Roman emperors who killed many Christians and threatened the earth with power and war? Where is the resting place of the great Kings and Queens of old, such as Solomon? Many of these tombs have been broken down, looted, or forgotten and/or the burial places have been used to build houses, farms etc. Yet, these great men and women were so proud of their accomplishments in their hey days!
What does man really have to boast about? Those who pride themselves with their modest accomplishments are very inexperienced and naive…for they either do not know the brevity and vanity of life or they mischievously determine to be dismissive of these facts of life…
At the various hospitals are people who are gasping for life…after eating of the richest foods of this life, they are now battling for a kidney, liver, heart, or even a brain. These are things money cannot buy! Oh God, that all understood the brevity of life! The thoughts of many friends, acquaintances, etc, who have lost their lives to accidents, cancer, childbirth complications, other diseases…drown me with extreme sorrow …
If I had a wish, it would not be for endless wishes, but to have a longer godly life with health and great humility. For nothing in this life lasts beyond a century: 100 years, how short! Yet, how many people even live up to 50 years? I now understand why David sang that most beautiful psalm: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalms 90:12).
Oh, how many beautiful cities have not been buried under the earth? Where are the once great cities of Babylon, Nineveh, Luxor, Constantinople, Alexandria…? How many beautiful and tall architectural wonders, buildings, cars etc., have not been destroyed by fire and floods? Is there anything that lasts in this life?
Therefore, will I not glory in wisdom, knowledge, wealth, power, beauty, influence, or prestige. For they are as fleeting as the wind. Oh, that I may be like unto Enoch, Moses, or Elijah, who now inhabit the eternal city of gold beyond Orion in the North of the galaxies. Where I shall forever sing the praises of Jehovah and behold His matchless grandeur, splendor, holiness, and matchless mercy and unending love. Oh, that I could enter Heaven, if even briefly, to hear the impeccable songs of the holy seraphim and adorable cherubim and partake of the joys of the city of Light!
May we store our treasures in that Eternal city of everlasting pearls that when this earth shall fail us, we shall be accepted into those immortal tabernacles, whose maker and builder is God! A blissful holy Sabbath to all the praying waiting saints of God!
