When I Am No More

Probably one of the most depressing topics in the Bible is found here. It's read at gravesides. David is not being morbid here. He's not down on life. He just states the facts. The Holy Spirit inspired him to write this. It pays us to be mindful of this scripture because as far as the world is concerned we are no more even while in the middle of life. In the book of Chronicles it is written that David said the time would come when he would be no more. This is not something to be obsessed with but something to keep in our minds.

In verses 15 and 16 we see what is so often read at committal services; it's what is suggested in many handbooks. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. It's what you think of when you see a cemetery. A cemetery can be the loneliest place around even in the middle of a town. Funeral homes and graveside services are avoided. We don't want to think about death. It's something way out in the future. How would you feel if you knew you had one year, one month, or one day to live? The thing is that any day could be the last. We remember those of the church who have gone on; their seats are empty. Their time came. Life goes on. The world goes on.

It was hard to face my mother's death. The impact shattered my world, but all around me others went on. Nothing changed except my world. When our loved ones go on, we have no choice but to go on ourselves. People act as if they will live 1,000 years. The longer I live the smaller I see myself as far as society is concerned.

Life is a gift from God. We should never take days for granted–make the best of each one; enjoy life for the time will come that it will be no more. We are like the grass clippings that just blow away. They are gone. We are the same. The memory of us fades and is gone after a little while. When the grandchildren come and then the next generation comes, it will be as if we never lived.

The difference is knowing God. Verse 17 tells us that God is everlasting. In Him is life. It's NO MORE in this life–SO WHAT! We go on. The everlasting God has given to us some of His "no mores." There will be NO MORE tears, NO MORE suffering, NO MORE pain, NO MORE death. When we are no more down here, we will live in the NO MORES of heaven. Long after the memory of Bob Surber is gone, the influence I've had on others as a witness for the Lord will live on. I influenced one; he influenced one; he influenced one…and the list goes on. My influence will live on even if the memory of me is long gone. The same is the way with all of us. Way back many years ago, someone influenced another until that influence found us. When we get to heaven the list of who we have to thank will be very long. When I am NO MORE here and my body is lying in the grave, I WILL BE IN HEAVEN.

In verse 22 David ends this Psalm with "Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul." Our hope is in Jesus Christ. As long as I live my life in Him and share Him with others I will live on.

NO MORE here? It doesn't matter. One day everything will be NO MORE. I want to see each of you in the place of NO MORES.