You who dwell by many waters,

rich in treasures,

your end has come;

the thread of your life is cut. vs13

Eventually, the end will come, and we must be ready! We must prepare to meet God, now, lest He catch us unawares and unworthy. Believe on the Lord Jesus, and live for His glory!

First, the glory of the Lord is why we’re here: it is to the praise of the glory of His grace!

He elected us from the foundation of the world. He put us in Christ, or we’d never be saved, and election glorifies God because it demands all credit be His in our salvation. We didn’t choose: He chose us [Eph 1:4; John 15:16]! We didn’t outsmart others: He gave us wisdom. We didn’t save ourselves: He saved us, and He must have all of the credit always.

The gospel is designed to give God glory, and that’s why He made the world and redeemed us.

“To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved.” [Eph 1:6]

He gave the Son - the Only Begotten, His Equal from everlasting - to die on the cross, so that He could pay for our sins. This displays grace, but there is more: to truly understand the riches of His gift, He lavishes us with eternal kindness because of Christ Jesus.

“In order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." [Eph 2:7]

We will forever sing His praise with ecstatic hearts, because we’ll see Him WORTHY of the glory and honor. It will not be grudging or half-hearted, as the smoke ascends the furnace, and we’re in holiness and happiness beyond imagination: It will richly display how good God is, and that is the gospel - the beauty and worthiness of God displayed in the church and in the Son.

Believe on the Lord and glorify Him, lest you go to that horrible place for sinners.

Secondly, do not despise this grace.

Your end has come;

the thread of your life is cut.

Men perish because they refuse to be saved, being enchanted by this world. Satan has darkened their minds and perverted their understanding. God has blinded them, because they refused when He called, so He’s given them hardness of heart, so they can’t believe, hear, or understand.

For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says:

“He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their hearts,

so that they cannot see with their eyes,

and understand with their hearts,

and turn,

and I would heal them.” [John 12:39-40]

They’ll blame themselves in hell forever. They’ll know, “I’m here because I deserve to be,” and it will be horrible beyond comprehension.

These are the TWO WAYS that He’s set before us -life and death. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” [Joshua 24:15]

Only be wise and escape the Judgment. Flee the wrath that’s to come.

Thirdly, let’s warn sinners and call others to Christ. This is the business of the church! Not conspiracy theories, political critique, or our leisure.

There is a time for play, and God is gracious, but there is no time to waste.

Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles,

and whose princes feast at the proper time—

for strength and not for drunkenness. [Eccl 10:17]

We are on a mission - sent by God - to use our gifts to save others, to build up the church, and to glorify Him. Use your life, therefore, by God’s power and Spirit. Helplessly lean on Him, day after day, and call upon Him to perform goodness in you [Judges 16:28].

Look to His help, and He’ll work in us to honor His own name.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [Eph 3:20-21]

Be honest with Him, seize opportunities, and believe God to bring results. You are not making your own name but His, and He is worthy.