Notice the views and feelings that will naturally possess a man who believes “there is but a step between him and death,” or that his end is near.
I. The world, with its pleasures, pursuits, and prospects, will, appear small. The mask is taken off now.
II. He will feel that his own personal salvation is to him above all things else in point of importance.
III. Next to his own salvation in point of importance, will be that of his family.
IV. He will not feel at home in the company of the wicked, or in any pursuit or pleasure upon which he could not ask the blessing of God.
V. He will desire to settle all, disputes and old grudges, and forgive his enemies.
VI. A man who believes “there is but a step between him and death” will desire to make his will. (T. Kelly.)
But a step
This was David’s description of his own condition. King Saul was seeking to destroy him. The bitter malice of that, king would not be satisfied with anything short of the blood of his rival.
1. There is a sense in which this text is no doubt literally true of every man--There is but a step between me and death; for life is so short that it is no exaggeration to compare it to a step.
2. But, in another sense, there is but a step between us and death, namely, that life is so uncertain. How unexpectedly it ends.
3. And this is all the more true when we consider that there are so many gates to the grave. We can die anywhere, at any time, by any means. Not alone abroad are we in danger, but at home in security we are still in peril. Wherever you are, you may well feel, “There is but a step between me and death.”
II. That to some this is specially true. To persons who have reached a ripe old age this is most certainly true: “There is but a step between me and death”? Now, do not object to think about it and talk about it. If you are all right with God, it can be no trouble to you to remember that as your years multiply, there must be so many the fewer in which you are to abide here below.
III. Suppose it is not so. There may be some here that will live to a very great age. Well, what then? If so, I should recommend you to follow the Scriptural advice, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” Suppose that it is not true that there is but a step between you and death; nevertheless, while death is at a distance, health and strength furnish the best time for coming to Christ.
IV. But now suppose that it is so. Suppose that it is so, and suppose, as yet, that you have no good hope. If there is but a step between you and death, yet there is only a step between you and Jesus. There is only a step between you and salvation. God help you to take that step. Suppose that it is so, that you are moon to die; then set your house in order. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The mystic stop
.
I. It is a certain step. All must take it.
II. It is an uncertain step.
1. When we must take it we cannot tell.
2. Where we must take it is altogether hid from us.
III. It is a final step. It is final because it puts an end to human distinctions.
IV. It is a parting step.
1. It parts us from this world of matter. We must bid farewell to flower and star.
2. It parts us from friends near and dear to us.
3. It parts us from ourselves. That tender union that subsists between soul and body is rudely torn asunder,
V. It is a solitary step. Death is a lonely thing.
VI. It is altogether a solemn step.
1. The step of birth is solemn.
2. The step of prayer is solemn.
3. Not less solemn is the step of death. Lord, prepare me for taking this step. (J. Dunlop.)
The nearness of death
This is true physically, morally, socially, influentially.
1. Physically--Breath is in the nostrils; we know not our narrow escapes from death; the point of a needle may destroy the life of the body, etc.
2. Morally--Character may be ruined in a moment; one sin broke up human history into ruin and sorrow, etc.
3. Socially--When character is ruined, society is closed against a man, etc.
4. Influentially--A man’s influence should be the measure of his moral standing; by one false step influence may be impaired or destroyed. The fact that there is but a step between life and death should do five things:--
I. It should give high significance and value to time. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” etc.
II. It should awaken the most anxious vigilance. Only one step, and it may be the next!
III. It should stimulate to preparedness for the future.
IV. It should impart a tenderer interest to all the relationships of life.
V. It should lead to the right use of temporal possessions. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Certainty of death
it was seemingly true concerning David.
1. This teaches us how liable we are to be wrong in our judgments. We can only judge from appearances; therefore we should draw all inferences of importance with caution.
2. Yet this judgment of David’s, perhaps, was the instrumental cause of his preservation. It made him cautious. Thus Providence sports with our calculations; “man knoweth not his appointed time, but is like the fishes ensnared in an evil net.”
II. The text is really true concerning some individuals now in the world.
1. Let us in the first place look at the great number of the sick scattered over the face of this well-peopled world.
2. Go into the gloomy ceils of condemned criminals, whose life must, pay the forfeit of their crimes on the coming morning.
3. Look at the combatants that are now preparing for deadly battle; their country’s cause palpitates at their heart, and burns on their tongue. They are destined to fall in the struggle.
4. Listen to the cries of those mariners in distress; “they are going up to the heavens, and now down to the depths.”
5. View those men of apoplectic structure. How precarious the hold they have of life! Fresh and hale one minute--the next dead.
III. The declaration in the text may be true with regard to some of us.
1. Sentence of death has been passed on all men.
2. This sentence has never been repealed. It has not become obsolete; it is not like the antiquated page of an almanac of past times.
3. But this respite is not for any given length of time. It is frugally extended only from moment to moment. A respited criminal knows the length of his respite; we do not. (T. Macconnel.)
