Remember Your Creator; Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 12

The last chapter in Ecclesiastes begins with a beautiful poem, an allegory that paints a vivid portrait of growing old and eventually leaving this mortal frame behind. Memories of my mom’s last days return and the mirror doesn’t lie, we all have a limited number of days on earth. Though mixed with sadness, my preference is to find inspiration in this reminder.

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”
Ecclesiastes 12:1

Time is waning. We have a story to tell, a song to sing, people who are far from Christ to invite. The poem continues to describe the loss of sight, strength, hearing, even teeth are gone. Gray hair announces old age.

Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and 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 12:6-7

We are eternal beings caught up in flesh and bone for a time. Our world entices us to be far too concerned about outward appearance when it is our soul, our spirit that separates humankind from all others. Psalm 139 comes to mind again,

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Lead me in the way everlasting, Lead me in the way of the cross as David Moore puts it in his song based on this psalm.

It’s so quiet in the early hours of the morning, the primary reason why I get up early to let scripture wash over me. I hope you have space in your day to let the words of Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 wash over you. I pray that you would be motivated to reach out to that one person who is far from Christ that comes to mind as you read the words, as images come to mind. Don’t delay.

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Lord, help us to share the great news of the Gospel, especially this Holy Week! Put opportunities in our path, in our daily walk and open our eyes to see those who are willing to listen if we would but utter the words. You have chosen us as your ambassadors, inspire us to act.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:22-25

Hope. We have hope. Share the news!