I
remember times like these; times of wonder, excitement, joy and
expectation. Times when I could just go outside and “play”; even
if it just throwing rocks to see if I could out-throw my younger
brother Dave or making or mud dams on the hill leading to the
settlement below our house. What days they were, but now they are
gone, but the memories remain. That great king of Old, Solomon said…
Ecclesiastes
12 ( World English
Bible )
Ecc 12:1, Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will
say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
Ecc 12:2, Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are
darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
Ecc 12:3, in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and
the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because
they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
Ecc 12:4, and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound
of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,
and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
Ecc 12:5, yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be
in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper
shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his
everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Ecc 12:6, before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is
broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken
at the cistern,
Ecc 12:7, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit
returns to God who gave it.
Ecc 12:8, ”Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is
vanity!”
Ecc 12:9, Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the
people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many
proverbs.
Ecc 12:10, The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that
which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
Ecc 12:11, The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well
fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given
from one shepherd.
Ecc 12:12, Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books
there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecc 12:13, This is the end of the matter.
All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is
the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14, For God will bring every work into judgment, with every
hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
Yes,
remember God in your youth, but even during the more difficult days
of your “Golden Years”. Those years may be filled with physical
problems, but the God who was with you before you even could write
one letter of the alphabet will still be with you until your very
last breath. So, obey the Almighty in all things and after that last
breath, a new and more wonderful existence awaits. And, from what I
know about God that next life will even seem better than any exciting
wagon ride that you have ever had!