As On The Brink of Eternity

2010 is only hours old and, as I do at the beginning of each new year, I have already seen many people expressing hope and anticipation that this might be the year of our Lord’s return.  (Just as a little aside, wouldn’t that be amazing?!?!) 

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Although the whole prayer is quite appropriate for today, there is one line that caught my attention this morning.  It is my prayer for myself, and for you - my friends and family – this year:

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“May we…live continually as on the brink of eternity.”

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We do not know what this year holds.  Perhaps we have another year to serve and worship our Lord here on earth.  Or, maybe, before the next year dawns, we will be worshiping at His feet…in Heaven.  Either way, may we strive to live each moment as though we were on the brink of eternity…we just might be.

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FUTURE BLESSINGS

O Lord God,

There is no blessing we implore but thou art able to give,

            hast promised to give,

            hast given already to countless multitudes,

            all unworthy and guilty like ourselves;

Make us willing to receive the supply of our need from thy bounty.

To this end convince us of sin,

            soften our hard hearts,

            to bewail our folly, ingratitude, pride,

                        unbelief, rebellion, corruption.

Through the law may we die to the law,

            then look with wonder, submission, delight,

            to the provision thou hast made for the glory of thy name

                    in the salvation of sinners.

Give us a hope that makes us not ashamed,

              a love that excites us to holy obedience,

              a joy in thee that is our strength,

              a faith in thy Son who loved us and died for us.

May we persevere in duty when not fully conscious of thee,

            wait upon thee and keep thy way,

            be humble and earnest suppliants at thy feet,

            live continually as on the brink of eternity.

Let us be at thy disposal for the duties and events of life,

            submit our preferences to they wisdom and will,

            resign our enjoyments if thou shouldst require it

               as our absolute proprietor and best friend.

In our unworthiness and provocations make us grateful,

            for the means of grace and the ordinances of religion

            and teach us to profit by them more than we have done.

Help us to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,

          to enter upon the Sabbath mindful of its solemnities, duties, privileges,

          setting all things worldly aside while we worship thee.

May we know the blessedness of men whose strength is in thee,

          and in whose hearts are the highways to heaven.

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From The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, pg 223