Almost All the Leaves Are Down

It was fall. The leaves fell rapidly.  The branches of the trees look practically empty.  Observing the nearly bare trees made me think of myself.  I had been a widower for over three years and was approaching the late seventies, the fall of life.

Isaiah’s words came to mind when he spoke to Hezekiah. “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” (II Kings 20:1). Was there a future for me? Should I make plans to live – or to die?

It is wise for every man and woman to set their house in order because everyone will die. “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27).  If you have not yet accepted Christ (who died for your sins) as Savior, now is the time to trust Jesus.  “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:2).

But God was speaking to me about service.  I had served the Lord continuously since becoming saved as a pre-teen. God said to me: “You’re not done yet. I’ve got much for you to do.  Don’t get swallowed up in self-pity.  Don’t quit.  Keep on serving me until I take you home.”

“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (II Corinthians 4:16-17).  “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.” (Psalm 92:13-14). 

Now is the time to keep serving!