If God is in Control

"Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep."

Psalms 121:4 NKJV

In the days of Queen Esther, under Persian rule (between 539 BC and 458 BC), the Israelites were in danger of being exterminated because of a plot perpetrated by Haman. Only God's faithfulness, first through Mordecai and then through Esther, will thwart the plan of death. Every age has its Amans, whose decisions endanger the lives of many, and even entire peoples. Not only threats of war or conflict, but also terrorist attacks or the scourge of persecution, trade tariffs or border walls: it is difficult to choose the lesser evil. If we then include poor local administration at the root of various disasters and possible tragedies of our day, the picture takes on a grim hue. Popular wisdom, in the face of tragedies and famines, used to say, “as long as there is health...”. Unfortunately, looking at the data, even this is in short supply. Every family has learned to cope with increasingly aggressive diseases that do not discriminate based on age. There are those who believe that infirmity is a servant of repentance, a source of reflection and sometimes even a catalyst for conversion. The specter of irreparable consequences, the fear of having to part with loved ones, the anguish of leaving one's children open deep chasms even in the hardest and most hardened hearts. Questions arise, answers are sought.

Situations that call us to reflection and should lead us to a life of more intense relationships, less superficiality, and a slower pace of life. For many, it remains a taboo, yet we should familiarize ourselves with death. Hostile as a concept because we were not destined to die, it came about with the fall of man: there is physical death, decreed by medicine. There is also the death of those who have no faith (those who perish); then there is the death of the believer. One possible definition is separation from the source of life, for the believer Jesus. He is the source of life, and when we are closer to him, even if we are dead in the flesh, we are alive because we are in the presence of the One who is the source of our life. Physical death will affect everyone if the Lord does not return first. The apostle Paul, in speaking of this, declared that he was ready “to put off his tent” (2 Corinthians 5), and Peter was aware of his imminent departure (2 Peter 1:14). Those who have realized their faith in Christ have understood that beyond the death of the body, there is a more dangerous death that concerns the soul. There is an eternal part in each of us, that part that does not age, that is not consumed by the passage of time. However, this part can be killed by sin (Romans 6:23). Sin separates us from God and takes away our hope of life with Him.

This is how precious the time we have is, and how miserable it is to waste it or not make proper use of it. The Word, too, looking toward eternity, teaches us a concept that should also be our constant prayer: “O teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Counting our days is not simply an arithmetic calculation, but it is becoming aware of the passing of the short time we have available so that we may use it wisely. Only a wise heart evaluates earthly life with balance and prepares to live eternal life with equal wisdom. I have had occasion to consider that in the Hebrew Bible the term “son” has the same root as the verb “to build.” This made me imagine my children as buildings to be constructed and raised up toward heaven. No stable and durable construction can be achieved in a short time, without care and proper planning. Therefore, may the Lord give us the health to build wisely those who are entrusted to us. Finally, if and when our health fails, may our prayer be that His hand will lead us to a dignified end, without unnecessary medical treatment.

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Weekly Bible Reading Plan #6

February 02, Exodus 29-30; Matthew 21:23-46

February 3, Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:1-22

February 4, Exodus 34-35; Matthew 22:23-46

February 5, Exodus 36-38; Matthew 23:1-22

February 6, Exodus 39-40; Matthew 23:23-39

February 7, Leviticus 1-3; Matthew 24:1-28

February 8, Leviticus 4-5; Matthew 24:29-51