Scripture is quite clear, “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die
once and after this comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
Each of us must, one day, face death.
Enoch and Elijah were two exceptions. “then
he was no more, because God took him away.” Enoch was taken away, to the
presence of God without experiencing death. He was “commended as one who pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)
Enoch pleased God, which is proof of
his faith. For without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith must always
have an object, and the proper object of genuine faith is God. Enoch believed
that God truly did exist for he walked with God. How do we walk and communicate with God? We
are connected to God through the person of Jesus Christ.
The
writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear
the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to
sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9:28) Jesus died as the
perfect sacrifice for sin, just as all men must die once. You do not need to
fear the future for Christ has claimed you as His own. His death is your death
and His life is yours. Like Enoch and Elijah you will be received for you walk
with God by faith.
As we are strangers and pilgrims on
earth, help us by true faith and a godly life to prepare for the world to come,
doing the work You have given us to do while it is day, before the night comes
when no one can work. And when our last hour comes, support us by Your power
and receive us into Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
General Pray of the Church, Lutheran Worship © 1980
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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