Is it good or bad that we don't know the date of our death?

In one of his psalms, David asked God something that many other people might want to know.

In Psalm 38 verse 5 he asks, "Tell me, O Lord, my end and the number of my days, what it is, that I may know what my age is.

Probably this wish is reflected in the folk folklore we know. Who among us at least once in his life did not say these words: cuckoo-cuckoo, how many years of life do I have left? And about her answers - there are many different superstitions and anecdotes.

In general, there is a pressing question: Is it good or bad that we do not know the date of our death?

Let's reflect on it.

First, let's look at this: Why does this question begin to trouble David?

Judging from the text of the psalm - he is going through difficult circumstances in his life. He is sick physically and suffering emotionally.

And in this state he asks a very reasonable question: "And now what shall I expect, O Lord? My hope is in You.

In this state of reflection David asks God: How long shall I live? How long have You destined me to live?

Let's try to make some arguments for and against the question: Is it good or bad that we do not know the date of our death?

Of course, each of them can be quite debatable because each person has a different perspective on life.

Let's start with the arguments FOR. That is, for the fact that it is better to know the end of days after all.

1. We can probably agree that if a person is suffering very seriously, languishing under severe physical or moral oppression, it is better for him or her to know how long it will last. I have thought about this question many times for myself. What is better for a person who has a terminal illness: To continue to remain in ignorance, or is it better to know about the approaching end of life?
   

2. And so Hence the second argument for. Knowing the date of death can help us focus on our priorities and use our remaining time more meaningfully. Perhaps the person could do some much-needed penance, reconciliation with loved ones. Perhaps he or she would have had time to get his or her affairs in order so as not to leave behind a mass of clutter and confusion for his or her children. Many people live without thinking about how to dispose of their property. How to make a sensible will so that when they die, their children don't fight over the inheritance. Knowing the date of death may have contributed to this in some way. 
   

3. Probably the most important argument is the concern for one's spiritual state. Many people, realizing the inevitability of death, which is about to happen in their lives, could be reconciled with God. Ask for forgiveness. Most importantly, they could prepare their mind, their consciousness to accept the inevitable end. And put themselves in God's hands. Maybe like Job. You remember his words, "But I know my Redeemer lives and He will restore my decaying skin in the last days. And I, my eyes, will see God.
   

Other arguments could be made that are also controversial, but for some people are quite significant. For example, leaving a final admonition for your children. Write a long text on paper, or leave an audio or video message. Some people even managed to record a whole sermon on a tape recorder, which was intended for listening after death. Though, as for me, it is better to maintain such relations with children, so that it was not necessary to leave some special will, which, if there were no good relations during life, is unlikely to play any significant role after death.

Well now let's try to give some arguments against such knowledge. That is - it is good that we do not know the end of our life.

Someone of the great said a wise thought: Waiting for death is worse than death itself.

1. We can probably agree that not knowing the date of one's death frees us from the mental burden and emotional pressure that the fear of death directly generates. A person then lives in the present tense and in the hope that something can change for the better in his or her life. Remember, as Solomon said: He who is among the living has hope, as a living dog is better than a dead lion.
   

2. We can also say about the Value of the Present Moment: Without knowing the date of our death, we more consciously appreciate each moment of life, without thinking that it may be our last. Imagine the stress a person would be under if they knew not only the end of their days, but perhaps also how that end would come. Recently, the news showed a shark eating a man in Egypt. One can only imagine all the horror that be man felt in the morning, knowing that he was to be eaten by a shark in the afternoon. Of course, you can say that he would not have gone into the water, etc., but the essence of this argument is probably clear. 
   

3. One could also argue in favor of freedom of choice: Without knowing the date of our death, we are free to make decisions and change our plans without looking back at the time frame of our lives or languishing in anticipation of the inevitable. Clearly, none of this can be expected of a person who sees this lady with the scythe on the horizon. 
   

4. Knowing that death exists, but not knowing when it is coming, man gets used to the idea that he will leave this earth at some point. He never recognizes that this is the proper outcome of life, for the Bible clearly identifies death as one of the terrible enemies. Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul says that in the context of a sinful earth, it is a pattern that we are gradually coming to terms with. He says: it is appointed unto men once to die. In this case, this inevitability of death, which has no exact date, allows us to accept the fact that it exists in a more harmonious way.
   

More arguments could be given, but the essence of all the reflections can be summarized as follows.

God in His mercy and wisdom has placed exclusively in His power the date of death of each of us. This information is unknown to us, which really helps us to trust God, to rely on His will in this important matter for us.

On the other hand, we need to remember that our days are as heels. This is exactly the comparison David makes. Our lives are not measured in kilometers or even meters. On the scale of the universe, perhaps even an inch can be an unimaginable luxury, because our days fly by like chaff. This is all the imagery that David uses in his psalms. So, as a conclusion, the time of life should be treasured and used with great prudence.

Psalm 89 contains the words of Moses' humble request: Teach us to number our days in this way, that we may acquire a wise heart.

No matter how old you are or what your life journey may be, remember that life is a great gift from God. As we receive this gift from His hands, let us treasure it and take care to use each day wisely.