Faithfully Yours - The last chapter is always the best
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- Published on Saturday, February 7, 2015
By Neil Strohscein
In one week, I will have completed a major segment of a project I have been working on for almost 20 years. The project was launched in October 1995. My goal was to spend 45 to 60 minutes each day in reading, reflection and recording observations on every verse in the Bible.
In seven days, I will have completed my reflections on the Old Testament. In another five to six years, the entire project will be completed.
I have spent most of the past four years studying the writings of the Old Testament’s 12 minor prophets (Hosea through Malachi). These books are shorter than the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. But they have much to teach us and are books we must never overlook.
These books follow a similar format. Each one begins by reminding the people to whom it is addressed (usually OT Israel) of their origins. Then the prophet identifies an issue or problem he sees in their lives. He calls for corrective action (acknowledgement of wrong-doing, presenting a sin offering and making appropriate changes in life style). If the people listen, the prophet assures them of God’s forgiveness. If they don’t, he repeats what was written earlier and sends out another call to repent, receive forgiveness and reform.
The last chapter in these books is always the best. The prophet looks ahead to a day when God’s son, Jesus the Christ will establish a kingdom that will never end, governed by a king that will never die. In this kingdom, there will be no sin. There will be no sickness, disease or death. No one will hunger or thirst. There will be no poverty, racism, prejudice, violence or war. The whole world will be at peace and live in peace.
I am amazed at how much our lives follow the same pattern. We start life as innocent human beings. What we become is the product of the environment in which we were raised and the choices we make. We have no control over the environment in which we are raised. It was chosen for us by our parents. We do, however, have control over the choices we make.
Like ancient Israel, we make some bad choices; and when we do, God comes to us, asks us to acknowledge our wrong-doing, seek his forgiveness and let him show us how to keep from making the same bad choices in the future. When we listen to him, God assures us that we have done well. When we don’t, he repeats his call to repent, receive forgiveness and reform.
That’s how it will be for the duration of our time on earth. But that’s not how our lives will end. There is another chapter, the last chapter, and it is always the best.
We don’t always get to die with dignity. Some of the kindest, most loving and deeply spiritual people I ever met spent their last few months in excruciating pain, battling for every breath until finally death came.
But at the moment of death, they were ushered into the presence of God and began life in his house of many rooms. They now enjoy a life of peace and contentment—a reward for a life well lived, a love well shared and a faith that did not waiver despite the trials life imposed on them.
That’s how it will be for all people of faith. The last chapter of life is a chapter that will never end—because our life with God will never end. And the last chapter is always the best.