2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 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,
This passage continues to remind all of us that the day will come when we will have trouble seeing, hearing, eating and getting around. This tells us how important it is to learn about God early in life.
Studies have shown that those who come to faith early in life, even if they walk away for a while, will return to God. Often this happens after they have children of their own, or when they experience a tragedy and it turns their hearts back to God.
Reading this reminded me of a book I once read. I am an avid – some might say obsessive – knitter. I learned to knit as a child and have used this skill to make clothing for my family as well as to earn a little money for my craft. This book was on the history of knitting in the United States. In it, it spoke of the need to teach children when they were young and they were required to finish at least 3 or 4 rounds on their stockings before they could play. Learning young was considered important so that they could continue to knit and contribute to the family when they grew old and had trouble seeing.
If learning to knit was considered important to a person and that person’s family, then consider how much more important it is to have God in our lives. God’s presence brings the warmth of his love, protection from evil and the promise of everlasting joy when this life comes to an end.
What better reasons for faith are there?
Gracious God, you give us good advice throughout the Scriptures. May we listen to you and take your message to heart, so that we will feel secure in our beliefs today and all the days of our life. Amen.
