Bible Reading: Psalm 118
“I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” – Psalm 118:17 (KJV)
Death is inevitable for every mortal being. It is a journey that every human being shall undertake. Given this knowledge it is expected that every reasonable person shall find out details about what happens after death and will take the necessary steps to ensure that journey is smooth sailing. It is therefore surprising that so many people still act so foolishly by not preparing for the journey after death. Well, some argue that no one has ever been there and back. While this may be true partially, we have some who have tasted death and came back to deliver message on how heaven or hell is before going back.
The founder of Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Christian Mission in Nigeria with parishes in over 190 nations of the world, died several years ago but came back to life to perform a restitution, before dying again. He stated that sometime he saw a good Christian tract prepared by another Mission and asked that it be reproduced for winning souls for his church. However when the Head of the Mission that authored the tract saw it, he asked that it should be collected and be burnt. He said he was furious because they burnt the tracts while in fact they could have been used to evangelise others. Well based on this, when he got to heaven , he was shown his mansion but asked to go back and restitute by begging the man that burnt the tracts as he did not forgive him before dying. So he went to beg the man and thereafter died finally. There have been a number of similar experiences by a number of people such that we all need to take our eventual journey seriously.
To take this journey seriously is to ensure we amend our ways and live our lives to please the Lord. If you have offended someone, you need to seek for forgiveness. If any has offended you, you need to forgive that person and if there are things you had done that require restitution, you need to restitute to ensure nothing will prevent you from going to heaven. It is when your ways are right with God that you can be ready at anytime to meet with the Lord. The bible says in Matthew 24:42 (KJV): “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
But when you are prepared, you will not be afraid of death and you shall focus on the things that will please the Lord so you can conveniently declare as in Psalm 118:17 (KJV): “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”
Action Point: Examine your ways, ascertain anything that may debar you from making heaven and amend your ways.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero