“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.”
– Job 14:1-2
Main Thought: When we read these words of Job, we are reminded that our physical lives are very brief. Even if we live to 80, 90, or 100 years old, it is a very brief time in respect to history, and especially in regards to eternity. It begs the question, especially as Christians, of what we are spending our time and energies on. When I was a young man, I thought I had all the time in the world to increase in my knowledge of God and to grow in my faith. But now, I look back and see that the time passed very quickly and there is still so much of God’s Word that I do not deeply know, and I am still dissatisfied with the progress of my spiritual growth. Job’s words confirm to me that I should count each day as a gift from God and that the focus of my life should not be on that which is temporal, but that which is eternal. Whatever age we are as Christians, the call of Christ is for us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). We cannot know if we will have tomorrow, but the call for us today and all the days He is pleased to give us is to live our lives for the glory of God. Adam and Eve were created by God and put into the Garden of Eden for a plan and a purpose, not just to sit around and admire the creation. We too as Christians have been saved, not just to sit around and dream about heaven, but we have been saved with a mandate to glorify God by preaching the Gospel, grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, grow in holiness and sanctification, serve and bless others, and carry out the call of the Church, which is to go into the world and make disciples of all nations. May every believer and every Church strive to be a lighthouse on a hill, magnifying Christ until we go to be with Him or until He comes again. Remember that this is our calling, and may God give us strength and endurance to fulfill this calling.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19