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 that look out of the windows be darkened. Ecclesiastes 12:3
As I raise a glass of water to my lips, I notice that I have to drink quickly, or else the glass starts to vibrate a bit. I don’t like to think I am old, but my body keeps sending me little messages that maybe I am approaching the stage that our text describes today. Maybe I am there already. The keepers of the house, my hands, are not as steady as they once were.
The Preacher is reminding us, especially the young folks, that these days are coming for us all. Not only are the keepers of the house shaky, but the strong men are beginning to bow themselves. My legs will still let me jog a few steps now and then, but I could never dream of again winning the quarter-mile race like I did in high school. Let’s not get into the subject of the grinders ceasing, other than to admit that the pearlies are getting scarce. Those that look out of the windows have become so dark that I need glasses for absolutely everything now. Yes, this verse is speaking about me. But it is also speaking to you.
Have you felt the hand of time moving on your body, taking away energies and abilities you once had? If not, you will, sooner than you expect. But even those of us who are getting along in years can appreciate those capabilities we still have. And we should be using them for God while we can.
The keepers of the house should hold no book more often than the Bible, should minister most often to the Lord’s dear people, should grip most firmly those precious truths about Christ and His Assembly. The strong men should make their way to the gatherings of the Saints, and not waste precious time wandering off to the pleasures and emptinesses of the world. The little that these bodies have left should be directed in the greatest possible direction.
What does God deserve of the rest of your physical abilities? Are you giving it to Him? -Jim MacIntosh