Out of fear for his life, David fled from the wicked King Saul to his dearest friend, Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:1).

Jonathan, certain that David was mistaken about his father’s intentions, sought to calm David’s anxieties (1 Samuel 20:3).

The words of this text are David’s response to Jonathan, expressing his very real sense of the nearness of death.

What he realized at that moment was indeed always true––there has always been a step between us and death.

What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his

life from the power of the grave? (Psalm 89:48)

“ For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.”

(Job 20:23)

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die…” (Hebrews 9:27)

Lack of knowledge –

Lack of control –

Life is fragile -

“Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do

not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and

then vanishes away.”

James 4:13,14

It may be today, next week, next year, or many years

from now! Our lives can end in an instant!!

An accident Natural disaster Terrorist attack Heart attack Cancer Stroke Aneurysm

Psalm 39:4

"Lord, make me to know my

end, and what is the measure

of my days, that I may know how frail I am.”

It may be today, next week, next year, or many years

from now! Our lives can end in an instant!!

An infectious disease (a micro-organism)

Bird Flu Aids Plane crash Some new disease

Psalm 90:12

"So teach us to number our days, That we

may gain a heart of

wisdom..”

1. We are separated from friends and family. – (2 Samuel 12:23)

2. We are separated from our earthly possessions - (1 Timothy 6:7).

3. We are separated from our body and spirit - (Gen 3:19; Eccles. 12:6-7; James 2:26).

1. Our eternal destiny depends on what we DO before death. (Hebrews 9:27; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

2. Have “I” OBEYED the words of Jesus??? (John 12:48; Romans 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

3. Blessed are they who die in the Lord. (Revelation 14:13; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 3:3-6; Galatians 3:26,27)

1. While the Bible says a great deal about death, it is still a great unknown.

2. The very thought of stepping into a brilliant eternity in the presence of Christ, or being cast down into sorrowful suffering with the wicked of all ages ought to give us pause. (Eccles 7:2; Psalms 90:12).

Death Is an Inevitable Step – (With But One Exception)

Death Is a Short Step

Death Is a Parting Step

Death Is a Destiny- Sealing Step

Death Is a Solemn Step