“When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.” (Psalm 146:4 NLT)

 

A well-lived life is one in which we keep death in perspective. Death is a reality because of our sin. The apostle Paul wrote, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12 NLT).

Death is a ticking clock. We know that our time on earth is limited. James 4:14 says, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (NLT). Psalm 146:4 says, “When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them” (NLT).

The time of our death is known to God, as is everything. Our death will come at the appointed time—not a moment before, not a moment after. And there’s nothing we can do to prolong our life beyond the time God has allotted for us. I’m sorry, but all that wheat germ and tofu isn’t going to extend your life. It may give you a better quality of life. (Then again, it may not.) But it certainly will not prolong it. You have no guarantee that you’ll live a long life, only that you’ll live the life God has given to you.

As believers, we have no reason to fear death. Jesus made our eternal life possible. We have no reason to fear the specter of death. David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 ESV).

But the reality of death—that is, of the limited time we have on this earth—adds urgency to our work as Christ’s disciples. We have only so much time to share the gospel with people for whom death is an enemy. We have only so much time to plant spiritual seeds in the lives of others. We may never see those seeds cultivated. We may never see the fruit that grows from them. But we can plant the seeds and trust God to bring them to fruition.

The reality of death also adds an immediacy to our relationships. Paul wrote, “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27 NLT). He urged believers to resolve conflicts and forgive one another quickly. The time is too short to do otherwise. Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23–24 NLT). In other words, drop what you’re doing in order to be reconciled because there’s no guarantee that you’ll get another chance.

The reality of death adds urgency to our Christian service and gives us the necessary perspective for a well-lived life.

 

Reflection question: What does keeping death in perspective look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.&rdquo; (Psalm 146:4 NLT)
&nbsp;
A well-lived life is one in which we keep death in perspective. Death is a reality because of our sin. The apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam&rsquo;s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned&rdquo; (Romans 5:12 NLT).
Death is a ticking clock. We know that our time on earth is limited. James 4:14 says, &ldquo;How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog&mdash;it&rsquo;s here a little while, then it&rsquo;s gone&rdquo; (NLT). Psalm 146:4 says, &ldquo;When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them&rdquo; (NLT).
The time of our death is known to God, as is everything. Our death will come at the appointed time&mdash;not a moment before, not a moment after. And there&rsquo;s nothing we can do to prolong our life beyond the time God has allotted for us. I&rsquo;m sorry, but all that wheat germ and tofu isn&rsquo;t going to extend your life. It may give you a better quality of life. (Then again, it may not.) But it certainly will not prolong it. You have no guarantee that you&rsquo;ll live a long life, only that you&rsquo;ll live the life God has given to you.
As believers, we have no reason to fear death. Jesus made our eternal life possible. We have no reason to fear the specter of death. David wrote, &ldquo;Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me&rdquo; (Psalm 23:4 ESV).
But the reality of death&mdash;that is, of the limited time we have on this earth&mdash;adds urgency to our work as Christ&rsquo;s disciples. We have only so much time to share the gospel with people for whom death is an enemy. We have only so much time to plant spiritual seeds in the lives of others. We may never see those seeds cultivated. We may never see the fruit that grows from them. But we can plant the seeds and trust God to bring them to fruition.
The reality of death also adds an immediacy to our relationships. Paul wrote, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil&rdquo; (Ephesians 4:26&ndash;27 NLT). He urged believers to resolve conflicts and forgive one another quickly. The time is too short to do otherwise. Jesus said, &ldquo;So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God&rdquo; (Matthew 5:23&ndash;24 NLT). In other words, drop what you&rsquo;re doing in order to be reconciled because there&rsquo;s no guarantee that you&rsquo;ll get another chance.
The reality of death adds urgency to our Christian service and gives us the necessary perspective for a well-lived life.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What does keeping death in perspective look like in your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

The reality of death adds urgency to our Christian service and perspective for a well-lived life.

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