You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Ps. 39, 5

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps. 90, 12

Dear Readers,

September 19, 2022, was a historic day. In England and beyond, an era came to an end. After more than 70 years of reign, Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest. There were billions of people around the world who watched. Countless people were able to attend the funeral service through television and Internet. And those who were there also heard the words from 1 Corinthians (chap. 15, 55 - 57):

‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.´

The sting of death torments humanity each day. Whoever reads the news from Ukraine and sees the pictures of mass graves can visualize this terrible sting of death. We see people who become victims of sin because the law of life is violated (God tells us in Exodus 20:13): “You shall not murder”. Where there is war, the law of violence and death prevails.

No one has the right to kill his fellow human beings. No one has the right to take the life of another human being. This unique life which God, the Creator, has given him. The time span of our life is determined solely by God Himself (Ps. 31, 15): “My times are in your hands”.

Our lifetime is not endless, but limited by God. His word admonishes us to be wise and to think of the end of our life's journey. To be wise means to me not to live reckless into our days, but to take responsibility for my time, given to me. "Time is grace" is engraved under the dial of a small alarm clock in our home. Life time is a time of divine grace. I may live each day with the certainty of being a person loved by God. Every moment in His presence is a gift for which I may be grateful. I may rejoice that Jesus Christ, through His resurrection, has conquered death and gives me eternal life.

Therefore, I would like to close today with a praise to this King and Victor. I would like to praise the Lord Jesus Christ, the victor over death, with the words from the revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1, 4 - 6):

“Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “

God bless you and keep you in spirit, soul, and body. May HE fill your heart with HIS peace and HIS joy.