This tract reminds us that while millions mourn the passing of figures such as Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Billy Mays, Walter Cronkite, Senator Ted Kennedy, and Patrick Swayze, we will all one day face death personally.

Show me, O Lord , my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. Psalm 39:4 32

Michael Jackson, recognized as one of the world’s greatest entertainers and known as the “King of Pop”, was just days away from attempting one of the greatest comebacks of all time. However, in the blink of an eye, his life was cut short. According to reports, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died on June 25, 2009, leaving fans around the world shocked that 50 year old Michael Jackson was dead.

Within days of Michael Jackson’s death, reports of the deaths of Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon, Billy Mays, and Walter Cronkite also made headline news. More recently the headlines have been filled with tributes to Ted Kennedy, the late Senate Majority Leader from Massachusetts, and Patrick Swayze also made headline news.

Although millions will mourn their passing, the Bible reminds us that all of us will one day die. You could say that in God’s economy, death is a fact of life.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. Psalm 39:5

Most of us expect to live long, rewarding lives before death’s ultimate arrival. We want to marry, raise children, and retire well. Certainly no one expects to die “before our time”.

So we spend ourselves on living and give little thought to dying. “I’ll prepare later,” we say. But death often comes with no opportunity for final preparation.

So, these words are a gift to you–a gift to help you spend time preparing for death. This is not being morbid. Truth is, if you prepare well to die, you’ll live at your peak now, and when you die you will enter an eternity of complete joy (2 Corinthians 4:17).

We all have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27). You might guess that your death is a long way off, when actually it might be as soon as…today.

A few months ago my friend Terry was in seemingly great health: racquetball three times a week, cholesterol low and body trim. We talked at a reception celebration Saturday afternoon. He then went home to spend an evening with his family. But suddenly he slumped forward in that favorite easy chair and just died. His appointment had come…unexpectedly.

That’s one reason why wise people prepare to die when the likelihood of death seems very far away. Wise people are ready for death whenever it comes.

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Source: ATS Tracts