Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
I think about death a lot. Don’t think I’m weird. I didn’t used to. It’s just that I’ve reached an age where I probably have less years on earth than I have now lived. Death—my death–has become more real. Some dear friends have died. Some family members have died. Some of my friends’ parents have died. Some of my friends’ children have died. Just recently, Tim Keller, a brilliant, winsome champion of our faith, passed into glory; though I never knew him, I am mourning. Death is real. Very. I wonder how I will die. When I will die. What I will see when I die. Whether I will get to say goodbye.
The Teacher of Ecclesiastes thought about death a lot too. Maybe even more than I do. In the first seven chapters, he mentions it at least twenty times. If we add to that the myriad of statements about how meaningless and vain everything is—the Teacher is one VERY morose man. Even though he has tried nearly everything he can think of, he is sad, sad, sad.
To quote Tim Keller, “If you only read Ecclesiastes, you might think it virtually impossible to enjoy well being and satisfaction within the confines of this world, ‘under the sun.’ But we are to read all of Scripture, lest we get a distorted view (just as we’d get a distorted view if we read just the Old Testament or even just the New Testament).”
I think today that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to go for a little Bible balance. Bring some joy into the sorrow. Some wonder into the loss. Some peace into the despair. Let me bathe you in some of the Bible’s hopeful words:
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (Genesis 1:31)
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:4)
For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. (1 Cor. 14:33)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:4-5,8)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
It strikes me that our God is a God of balance. Jesus wept at death, but He partied at weddings. God rages at sin, but He sings over His people. In a world that—realistically speaking—is headed for destruction, God brings new life daily.
Likewise, we can live lives of balance, dominated neither by foolishness nor pessimism. May I encourage you, Church, to read more of your Bible than only the slides during the sermon this week. Our Father gave us a beautiful BIG book for our good. The WHOLE of it is for you. Seek to know ALL of it. Especially if you, like Qoheleth and I, find yourself a little off balance. And who, at some point, doesn’t feel that way?
