Life is a Vapor
- Lucy Allen
- Jul 15, 2022
- 2 min read
I am always amazed how quickly things around the pond can change. Depending on the angle of the sun shadows appear one way and within a few minutes the scene is totally different. Tonight as I came home from church, the moon was partially visible behind the clouds, creating a spot of pale luminous brightness in a velvety black sky. I couldn’t wait to get inside so that I could get on the porch to view this beauty over the water. Alas, in the time it took me to unlock the back door, drop my purse on the kitchen counter and get out on the back porch the view was gone. The moon had slid completely behind the cloud cover and was practically invisible.
Our lives can change just as quickly. Surely, we all can think of people whose lives were changed in an instant either by the death of a friend or family member, illness, loss of a job or any number of similar traumatic turns. The Bible tells us this too. Look at James 4:14, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Does that sound frightening? We are not promised tomorrow, our lives are but vapours, mists on the annals of time. But there is no need for fear my friends, for if you are in Christ you have a hope – a hope of life eternal. Romans 15:13 affirms this promise, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Hallelujah!
Do you know the hope that is Jesus Christ or are you wondering how to obtain this hope today? It is by grace through faith as we read in Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Redemption means to deliver by paying a price, and Jesus paid our debt through His death on the cross. All we have to do is believe on Him as we read in Romans 10:8-9, 13.
In closing, meditate on this last verse from the poem, Only One Life, Twill Soon be Past, by C. T. Studd:
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Wow, Lucy. Did you capture that picture on the beach? It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I really appreciate your thoughtful post today and the poem you shared at its conclusion. There are two words in your message that I’d like to comment on their meaning as it has been taught to me. The first is “hope”. Harry Maples has repeatedly emphasized in the Bible study he conducts in Hamlet that “hope” does not have the common meaning of “wishful thinking” in the New Testament. Rather it means “confident assurance/expectation”. Remembering that is really a source of joy for me. And then I’ve always appreciated the Amplified Bible’s explanation of the word “believe”. It is “trust in, rely on, and adhere to”. That really amplifie…
Great devotion! Very timely for me right now! Thanks Lucy!
I don’t worry myself with material things, l try to store my treasures in heaven where they won’t rust or mold!
I love this Lucy. You painted a perfect picture with your words. And just think, those moments of seeing a spectacular sunset, sunrise, or moon peeking through the clouds are just little reminders of the glory to come.
Great devotion, I know we receive changes to our lifes daily and in an instant. Whom did he send to you yesterday to witness to? Where you ready, did you say the correct words, to make a difference in that person’s life forever. Thank you Lord for for your guidance and protection. Amen