Most of us don't relish the prospect-of dying, nor do we probably think about it a lot, though we know it's a normal, expected, certain event in the life of each person.

At reaching eighty years of age, historian Arnold J. Toynbee said, "To be mortal is not by any means wholly disadvantageous. When I catch myself resenting not being immortal, I pull myself up short by asking whether I should really like the prospect of having to make out an annual income tax return for an infinite number of years ahead. "

Well, certainly something to think about! We are born into this world. We live. And someday we'll die. We've all known people whom we've loved and lost. Our own passing will bring sorrow to others. Most of us won't be like the husband who died and whose wife, upon receiving a $50,000 check from the insurance company, said "You know, I miss him so much I'd be willing to give up $25,000 of this just to have him back."

There are some things that we can't foretell, such as where we'll died, or how, or when. But other matters are much more important, anyhow -like being ready for death. That's what counts, for after death comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

The Bible pictures death "sleep" (Deuteronomy 31:16; Job 7:21; John 11:11; 1 Corinthians 15:6) and "rest" (Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 14:13). Other Bible descriptions include "giving up the ghost" (Genesis 25:8), "going to thy fathers" (Genesis 15:15), "going the way whence there is no return" (Job 16:22), "being gathered to our people" (Genesis 49:33), being "cut down" and "fleeing as a shadow" (Job 14:2).

Many Bible persons anticipated their own deaths: Isaac did, as did Moses, David, Stephen, and Paul. These, and others, knew that their own deaths were soon at hand. Maybe you've known people who knew they didn't have long to live.

The Bible teaches that both the wicked and the good die, both the young and old, rich and poor, men and women. Death is a powerful equalizer!

Upon reflection, it seems the prospect of death can actually be good for us. It causes us to value time. The Psalmist wrote, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). Jesus said "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4).

It causes us to make preparation. The prophet Isaiah came to king Hezekiah and said "Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live" (2 Kings 20: 1 ).

It causes us to focus on things truly valuable. The Bible teaches that "Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (Hebrews 13:14).

It causes us to desire heaven. Recall Paul's words: "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better" (Philippines 1 :21, 23).

Let us live in such a way that death, when it comes, welcomes us and we it, because we've prepared to meet God to be with Him forever! -John M. Brown

-John M. Brown