When the Sun Burns Out

Daily Reading:  Mark 13

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Mark 13.31)

Devotional Thought: Did you know that in a few million years our sun will burn out?  A few days ago, I was discussing this very thing with a new friend of mine, and she was struggling to find an answer to what we would do when that happened.  Of course, it was an academic discussion for us, as we won’t be around to see it.  But, it is a reality that points to the transient nature of this life and the need to prepare for eternity.  To what shall we “attach” our lives in order to live forever?

The disciples of Jesus wanted to attach themselves to the temple in Jerusalem.  They thought these stones would last forever!  Jesus replied to them that that very beautiful temple would soon be destroyed.  The disciples were curious about the timing.  But Jesus chose to teach them instead about what would last forever.  Heaven and earth would pass away, but his words would last forever.

Think about it.  When we think about what is real, what is lasting, our minds naturally go to things like rocks and mountains.  Things we can see.  Things we can touch.  Things that are solid.  But Jesus said those things are not eternal; they are only temporary.  That makes us wonder about the things we invest in and count on, doesn’t it?  IRA’s, CD’s, retirement plans, pensions, 401K’s, houses, even gold – those things will all pass away.  It is good to have them for this life; the Bible teaches us that we should “store away” for the winter years of our lives.  But we need to have longer-term investments than just those.  We need to have investments in eternity.

Build your life on the Word and the Way of God!

Prayer: Lord, your eternal word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Help me to hide your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 8.1-9

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!