The Christian's choice

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" Ecclesiastes 1:2

I am frail, and the world is fleeting; but
my soul is immortal, and God is eternal.

If I choose earthly pleasures, I shall reap nothing but vanity and dissatisfaction.

If I aim at mammon, the god of this world, then shall I resemble the rich fool, who, for earthly gain, sacrificed his immortal soul; and, in consequence, went to eternal perdition!

But if I choose God for my portion, then mercy and goodness shall follow me while I live, and glory and eternal pleasure shall crown me when I die!

I will therefore now forsake that which I shall soon lose,
so that I may embrace that which I shall always enjoy!

"You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11