“For death has crept in through our windows and has entered our mansions.” (Eccl.7:4)
Right now, April 15, 2020, golfers should be sipping coffee and still discussing with great pleasure the amazing Masters golf tournament that ended on a glorious and sunny afternoon just three days ago.
Perhaps, “Can you believe Tiger won again?” Or maybe, “I am so glad Rory finally got his grand slam.” Or the best of all, “Unbelievable! Can you believe Bernard Langer birdied 18 to win the Masters at age 62. How does he do that?!?”
Instead, springtime has been a steady diet of Andy Griffith re-runs and Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf. I must say, there is nothing quite like watching Byron Nelson come out of retirement to beat that young whippersnapper Gene Littler at Pine Valley! Or Gene Sarazen nipping Henry Cotton with his coat, tie and flippy putting stroke on a miserably cold windy day at St. Andrews.
But instead of the Masters review, this April 15 we are reminded of the old adage: “There’s only two things certain in the world. Death and Taxes.”
But this year, taxes have been pushed to the back pages. Instead of our normal April 15 tax concerns, death has taken center stage.
Indeed, as I write this a few days in advance, today is the day when scientific models have predicted the Peak of Death in the USA from the CoVid-19. Supposedly, over 2,600 will die today in the USA from CoVid-19, say the experts.
Consider these facts. Nearly sixty million people die every year. That is two people per second, more than 150,000 daily. The lines to get inside the Pearly Gates are longer than the lady’s room at Madison Square Garden. Every day!
To break it down, nine million die of hunger, eight million die from smoking, three million die from alcohol, one million die from HIV, over one million die from car accidents, one million die from suicides, and get this, about 500,000 die from the old fashioned flu that basically scares no one.
So, let me say what you may not want to hear.
Death is here to stay. Death will still be here after the Corona Virus has been conquered. Death will be around after the economy has recovered. Death will not miss a beat.
The great teacher Job understood this. “If God snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’” Job 9:12.
So seriously, do you know someone who fears death? Maybe even you?
The Bible offers three awesome persons with sound advice.
1st, King David said, “Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Please, Lord, save me.’” Psalms 116:3-4. Call on the Lord!
2nd, Ezekiel reminded God’s people that we have a responsibility in this hour. “If the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible…… They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.” Ezekiel 33:6-8. Warn the people!
3rd, then Jesus Himself reminds us. “I am the living one. I died, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Rev 1’18. Jesus is Alive!
So, death is here to stay. But Jesus has conquered our greatest enemy!