Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was." Numbers 27:12-13
Moses was given a luxury that many never have. He was told that his time had come. His death was near. The Lord gave him the opportunity to get his affairs in order, and Joshua was appointed to replace him.
The brevity of life is on my heart this morning. Yesterday, I received a prayer request for a couple at church whose niece was killed in an automobile accident. She and a friend were returning home from new student orientation at college when their car apparently went off the road. Both girls died. Oh, how excited they must have been! They were registered for classes and ready for college in the fall. How sad that their lives were cut short as the excitement was really beginning.
I guess this hits me hard because my son was at that same student orientation. It really is an exciting time in life. He's finally registered for classes. He now sees himself as a college freshman (actually, he's almost a sophomore before stepping foot in class). I cannot imagine the pain of losing him as he embarks on this journey. The pain - the devastation experienced by these two families must be unbearable. Lord, bring Your comfort to them. And watch over my children. My fear seems greater as they get older. The worry could overtake me. Send your Spirit to protect them and to comfort me.
Death is so often unexpected, Father. The fact is: we should live every day like it is our last. Our affairs should be in order. We should try to end our lives with no regrets, regardless of when it is.
Help me to live a live that honors You.