End Of The Matter

Old age cannot be rightly described except by those who have seen many moons – at least that’s what I’ve concluded.  Mr Bill and I often jokingly blame our physical-mental-verbal gaffes on “old age,” and it seems to work! The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes was most likely written late in Solomon’s life, when he could see the glory-days of his kingdom in decline. He’d known it all – power, prestige, pleasure, but none of it brought lasting satisfaction. In Chapter 12 he writes of a failing body – eyes, teeth, veins, arteries, heart. Then he gets to the heart of this matter of life: “Earnestly remember your Creator before the silver cord [of life] is broken … Then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God Who gave it … ‘Vanity of vanities … All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity.’” (12:6-8).  Furthermore, the ancient king warns us of hearing-reading-studying foolish advice (V.12). Even in light of these great Truths, I wonder how much of life Believers just continue their own way. Mr Bill and I are older than we were but not as old as we may be, and yet while there is ump in our bones and breath in our bodies, we [like Paul] determine to “press on” (Philippians 3:14). We should all hear the heart of the matter from God through the old king: “When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is Almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). As each one of us face an end – we know not when – may we know the truth and may the truth guide us to live and testify of our Great God!