Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: August 10th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ecclesiastes 12:2-4

We are now drawn into a vivid picture of very old age. Solomon's purpose is to point out the advantages of serving God while young, and to convince us of his counsel to remember our Creator in the days of our youth. We can serve God in old age (as we have seen), but the reality is that very old age slows us down somewhat and we can't give as much energy to the work of God as we once did. Verse 2 talks about mental aging. The sun and the light, which are symbols here of clarity and sharpness, recede, and darkness begins to descend on the mind. Verse 3 focuses on physical deterioration when "the keepers of the house tremble." It is thought that the words "keepers of the house" refers to our limbs which in very old age begin to tremble and become weak. We are left, also, with few teeth (at least of our own), and this is what is thought to lie behind the expression "when the grinders cease because they are few." Verse 3 speaks of the eyes growing dim, and verse 4 speaks of being shut in and of enforced inactivity: "the doors to the street are closed." The latter part of the verse reminds us that even sleep becomes difficult for those who are old. Some suffer a double denial - sleeplessness and deafness. Young people find it difficult to believe that is the way they will be one day (if, of course, they live long enough), but that is the reality. Therefore, young people, give God your best - while you can.

Father, I know I have to face reality, but I know too that the touch of Your Spirit can be upon me when I grow old. Sustain me through all the years of my life so that I might know the plus of Your Spirit as well as the plus of the years. Amen.