Death is drawing closer. Do you have that feeling? For some of us, death seems so much closer with a pandemic raging around us. For others, no pandemic is necessary to put death on our minds. You see and feel your body wasting away. The book of Ecclesiastes has an incredibly picturesque way of describing aging and death. See if you can picture what each metaphor describes:
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)
I hope one phrase stands out: “Remember him” Remember our God and his promises! When your eyes grow dimmer (the sun and moon and stars grow dark), remember him. When your back aches (the strong men stoop), remember him. When your teeth fall out (the grinders cease), remember him. When you get up at the sound of birds, remember him. When your hair turns white (the almond tree blossoms), remember him. When the silver cord or golden bowl or wheel of your life is nearing its end, remember him. Death is drawing closer, but our God is here. And with Jesus comes eternal life. Remember him!
Comments