Lamentations 1:9 “Her [Jerusalem’s] filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.”
Although Lamentations is not the most cheerful book in the Bible, its sober warnings do need to be considered. The Jewish people read these passages at the same time every year so that they would not forget past lessons. In this particular passage, Jeremiah is describing the destruction of Jerusalem. All of the bad things that happened to her happened because “she remembereth not her last end.” At first glance, the phrase “last end” may seem redundant, but God wanted to emphasize a point.
Many “endings” throughout our lives are simply beginnings of something new. For instance, the end of one phase of our lives (teen years) leads into a brand new phase (adulthood). But each of us has a “last end” that will come-when we will die and enter eternity. Sadly, these people did not take time to consider their last end. Instead, they lived from day to day with no regard for the future. And what were the results of living this way? Humiliation and destruction.
So what is the lesson for us today? Now is the time to determine what you want your life to mean. Each day, we should consider how we want our lives to end. Once this is determined, our daily choices become the means to that end. The story of our lives is written one day at a time-so beware of living each day without the end in sight.
Considering your last end will keep you from getting shortsighted. Don’t fall into the trap of living for the weekend or for the next paycheck! In other words, don’t let the means to the end become the end itself. Don’t allow the mundane, repetitive things each day become your purpose in life. As God’s child, you have a high calling to fulfill. That demands considering your end and making right choices daily to accomplish that end.
Considering your last end will also keep you from being discouraged. Serving the Lord-even without immediate reward-will still be a joy because you are aiming for the Father’s “well done” at the end. Trials of life can bring discouragement if you are only considering each day’s reward. Remember that the fruits of our labor will only be fully known at the last end.
Considering your last end will keep you from wicked living. Just as looking forward to God’s “well done” gives motivation to do right, fearing God’s punishment gives strong motivation to avoid wrong living.
We all have a “last end.” That fact demands that you consider today what you want your last end to be. Do you need to make some adjustments? Make those changes now while opportunity and time affords. May your “last end” be filled with the fruits of a life well lived!
Prayer Requests:
1. Revival services tonight in Carrollton, IL
2. BRR Couples’ Retreat (11/5-7)