Monday, May 14, 2012

A Rhetorical Question


Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness? Psalm 88: 10-12 NLT

These verses contain the same rhetorical question re-worded six times. It is like the psalmist wants to play on God's vanity. If God doesn't save him, then how will God be praised? If God doesn't do something to help, then how will God be worshipped? The dead don't do those things!

There is the argument: don't let me die, Lord, for then I can't be your follower!

Certainly, there are some things we cannot wait until life after death to do. One of them is praising God. The vision that John received in the book of Revelation suggests we will spend eternity worshipping God. Should we wait until then to do this? Of course not! But many self-avowed Christians don't attend church. How can we truly worship if we don't do so in the community of faith?

What other things have you put off, knowing you may do them in eternity? How about forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply (not forgetting, forgiving)? Re-kindling a dying relationship? Being at peace with your neighbors? Take some time this day to think about these things.

God, you are worth praising and worshipping while we are living. Help us to remember to do so often as you are an awesome God! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

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