Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
—From James 4
A dear son, a zealous soldier of Christ, a faithful churchman, a fellow comrade at arms, and my beloved friend, Michael Billings, is in the presence of his Savior. God saw fit that we be separated from him for a time and ushered him into eternity this past Sunday evening.
Of Michael it has been unanimously observed that he was a lover of God’s Law. It was consistently agreed upon that the following described him well:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
—From Psalm 1
…as well as…
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
—From Psalm 119
Without exception, the testimonies given this week of his life reflected one of faithfulness, steadfastness, unwavering honor, uncompromising resolve, charity, humility, peace, diligence, excellence, determination, zeal, kindness and love. You may visit Doug’s Blog, Caleb’s Blog, and Nathaniel’s Blog for beautiful tributes to the life of this faithful soldier of Christ.
Almost prophetic in nature, a message entitled ‘Life is But a Vapor’ was given by Michael two years ago (at the age of seventeen) at Boerne Christian Assembly as part of his internship course at Vision Forum. I highly encourage you to listen to this short sermonette as it is a sober reminder of our mortality, and thus our obligation to live circumspectly before our God.
Please remember to pray for the Billings family during their time of great loss. Pray that they would find comfort from God through other saints, lending to them the comfort with which they themselves in past times have been comforted. All praise and honor and glory be to our God and Father Who works all things for good to those that love Him and are the called, and in Whom there is no shadow of turning.
