By Rev. Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), widely known as the “Prince of Preachers,” pastor for 38 years of the Metropolitan Tabernacle (Baptist) in London; from a sermon given March 18, 1860 (edited and paraphrased from the original).
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Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end. — Deuteronomy 32:29.
Man is unwilling to consider the subject of death. He labors to keep the grave continually out of sight. He would live here always if he could; and since he cannot, he at least will put away every reminder of death as far as possible from his sight. Perhaps there is no subject so important, which is so little thought of. People will think about anything rather than death; they will pursue any diversion to keep it out of mind.
Yet our text from Deuteronomy tells us that we should be wise and consider our latter end. And certainly, we should be, for the practical effect of a true meditation upon death would be exceedingly healthy for our spirits. It would cool that ardor of covetousness, which is always longing after more and more, if we did but remember that we should have to leave all that we have. Even when we have gotten the most of everything, all that we can ever inherit for our body is six feet of earth. Considering our ‘latter end’ would perhaps lead us to set our affections upon things above, and not upon the moldering things below.
In the same way, thoughts of death might often make us pause when we are about to sin. If we look at sin with death in mind, we might see more of the hollowness of sinful pleasure, and of the emptiness of worldly vanity. If we would imagine how our sins will appear to us as we face death, we should sin far more seldom. Surely, we should be kept back from many an evil act if we remembered that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. These thoughts of death might lead us to say to ourselves, “Prepare to meet your God,” and we might be led to set our spiritual house in order. May the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts to the grave, that you may there see the end of all earthly hopes and pleasures.
In the first place, then, LET US CONSIDER DEATH. 1) Why is it that I must die? Why has God made me so wondrously to endure but for a short while, and then to crumble back to the dust? Can it be that God originally made me to die? No, rather, you die because you have sinned! Your death is not God’s original intention, but it is a penalty brought upon thee on account of thy transgressions. We die because we have sinned. How this should make us detest sin, because the wages of sin is death!
2) In considering Death, let us go a step further, and observe not only its origin but its certainty. Die I must. I may have escaped a thousand diseases, but Death has an arrow in his quiver that will reach my heart at last. “It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death, the judgment.” No physician can stretch out my life beyond its allotted term. I cannot escape. Let me never forget, then, that while other things are uncertain, Death is sure.
3) Then, looking in a little further, let me remember the time of my Death. To God it is certain, but to me it is quite uncertain. I know not when, nor where, nor how I shall breathe out my life. When I walk by the way I may fall dead in the street; a stroke may usher me into the presence of my Judge. Riding along the road, I may be carried as swiftly to my tomb. In my own house I am not safe. There are a thousand gates to Death. From this spot in which I stand, there is a straight path to the grave; and where-ever you sit, there is a possible entrance into eternity. Consider how uncertain life is. A strand of your hair is something massive when compared with the thread of life. A spider’s web is ponderous compared with the web of life. Oh, let us then prepare to meet our God, because, when and how we shall appear before him is quite unknown to us. You may never lie down in your bed again. (continued…)
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