VANITY OF LIFE
- Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
- May 14
- 3 min read
Today’s Reading:
Psalm 39
“Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in vain, surely, they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.”
(Psalm 39:5-6)
The irony of life is that the closer a man is to the grave, the bigger his plans. Celebration of a birthday is a reminder that our days are becoming shorter. Men labour to build houses, businesses, empires and wonderful edifices. These things are not bad in themselves, only if they are done with eternity in view. I have seen a man who struggled to build a house; he finished it, but on the day of house housewarming, it was his corpse that was taken there. I have a brother who denied himself some good things in life, like good food and nice clothes. He didn’t pay his tithes regularly, and his wife and children were also denied those good things, all because he wanted to complete his Master's degree program and finish building his house. Lo and behold, he defended his thesis, he was congratulated, but he never waited to collect the certificate. Even the house he denied himself and the family enjoyment, he was taken there as a dead man, and he never completed the building. What a life of vanity.
If life comes to you like a race, run it with God’s strength. If it appears to be a battle, allow God to fight your battles. If you see life as enjoyment, enjoy it in and with Christ. If it is a game, play it well, knowing fully well that God is the referee who will blow the final whistle and also the judge. The life of a man is like a vapour that appears for a while, then disappears. You are here today; you may not be here tomorrow. Don’t delay the good you can do today till another time because you may not have the opportunity. Settle that quarrel today, for tomorrow may be too late. Serve your creator now, when it’s still day, for night cometh when your service will be useless. Work, think and act as if today is the last, but if tomorrow comes, then it’s a privilege. You have power over yesterday and no,w but a moment from now, you can never tell what it holds.
Go to school, learn a trade, develop your skills, write that book, embark on that trip with your family. Do the good things of life you have an opportunity to do, but remember to do them with eternity in view. If the Master calls you home today, what will you miss on this side of the divide? What do you want to be remembered for? Start doing what you want to be remembered for now. You may not have an opportunity to read another devotional. Do you have a place in heaven? Are you afraid to die now? Then you need a saviour. Jesus paid the price. Stop whatever you are doing and say this prayer with me.
JAMES ALADE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer out loud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Jesus, wash me and make me whole.
Give me a deeper understanding of life and draw me closer to you in Jesus’ name.
I shall not use my life here to destroy my eternity in Jesus’ name.
I receive grace to live my life to the fullest here and die empty in Jesus’ name.
No one will take my crown in Jesus’ name.
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