Learning the Temporary Nature of this World
God does not want us trusting in the things of this world. They are fleeting and doomed to destruction. All things are headed towards some type of end: nations, individuals, relationships, companies, systems of government and economies, and even ministries, all things.
The world tries to seduce us into thinking that its wares last and are sure. We love moneyback guarantees. But a zillion things could happen and result in a company being completely unable to give your money back.
God (and His eternal purpose) is the only sure thing we can count on. Sometimes natural disasters and tragedies are only reminders that our day is short and this world is cursed.
Again, the motivation is to lead us to repentance, obedience, and longing for the next life — which will be so much better than this life, who could compare it? This is God’s love to us, teaching us that happiness in this world is vanity.
Some scriptures to illustrate:
“Our lives are but a breath.”
“Not by power or might but by My Spirit”
“Better is a man’s day of than his birth.”
“There is nothing new under the sun.”
The reason we get depressed when we read these kinds of scriptures is that we have a trite view of eternity, and we still seek some form of satisfaction from the things of this life.
Natural Consequences of Stupidity
This is my own insert, and I will make it short.
Eating junk food and getting fat and sick is not God’s doing. Smoking for twenty years, while not necessarily a sin, and getting emphezema is just a natural effect of unclean living.
The Darwin Awards are great examples of what I’m talking about. While still a result of the curse and God’s allowance, they are not necessarily the cause of sin and resulting judgment, nor are they intentionally teaching us about the temporal nature of our existence on this earth. Driving the wrong way on 85 might not be a sin, but neither is it wise to do.
Part 3 tomorrow.
Peace.