“That which has Been”...the Wayfarer 7/17/14

“That which has Been”
7/17/14

“That which hath been is now; that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

(Ecclesiastes 3-15)

Today we go to one of my favorite books in the bible for our scriptural guidance, and I open with one of my favorite verses from that book.

Solomon opened the book asking the question;

  “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?”

(Ecclesiastes 1:2)

That question still haunts each man at the end of his days.

Has the life lived been worth the effort expended? Have the attempts to secure a future for his children been successful? Has his purpose for living been accomplished? What has been the point of having endured the bad times? Was there a better way to have spent the allotted time given him?

Most, on reflection, will find that time misspent, those rewards that have been chased inadequate, the approach of death fearful, and the certainty of eternity as bleak as the vain accomplishments that once made them so proud.

Others will find solace in the onset of that time, and recognize it for what it is, not an end, but a beginning, and will welcome what is to come, in full knowledge that the life experienced had meaning, and was far from wasted, and that what follows is to be the reward for all the pain and sorrow experienced while accomplishing the purpose for which they were created!

These found a guide line, a life line, a means of endurance, and a true reason for existence.

They did so, because at some point in their lives, they found that purpose, and fulfilled it to the best of their human ability, experiencing the joys, along with the sorrows, that come from having served our God and glorifying him.

The found the Truth, The Way, and The Life, available, and intended for all, by having accepted their own vulnerability, and inadequacy, and by realizing that they were not in charge of the past, present, or future.

They found the ability to overcome the animal nature within, and progress beyond the carnal desires and instincts, that caused all the pain and sorrow experienced, and replaced it with love.

This was not done in isolation, without help, nor was it done only with the help of their social organizations, political affiliations, business acumen, intelligence, or physical strength, but through having found salvation through Christ Jesus, and following the teachings given by Him throughout the scriptures, and through living, to the best of their ability the precepts, and tenants of those teachings!

As I said, the entire book of Ecclesiastes is quite special to me.

It is a book I grew up reading, hearing quoted by my father, and finding to be more prophetic and true as I grew older and experienced the things that Solomon wrote about.

Solomon closed out this book with the 12^th chapter:

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while evil days come not, nor when the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

  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 windows  be darkened,

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low.

Also when they shall be afraid  of that which is high, and fears  shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper  shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:1-5)

Solomon tells us that the time to remember God, and His purpose for us, is while we are young enough to still have the joy of that youth.

Youth is fleeting. Age advances more rapidly with each coming day. Time misspent, and the regret that comes with, it bear heavier as well, as that time goes on, and if allowed. would steal all joy and purpose from every human man born into this world, as we realize that there is indeed a long home to which we must return!

“Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Then shall dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:6-8)

When that tenuous silver cord that binds body and soul together, and the golden bowl of the body containing that soul are broken, releasing that soul, the time for drawing the water from the well of life, promised by Jesus, is over. If the pitcher is broken before having drawn that promised water that never allows us to thirst again, that thirst will never be slaked. If the wheel that draws the water from the cistern is broken before the water is retrieved, again there is no possibility of obtaining that water.

The time to find Christ and the salvation available, the light available, the joy available, is while the Spirit still strives within you, and has the attention of your conscience. Decisions must be made at the time they are given, or choice is removed forever.

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:9-11)

We are given instruction and guidance that is immovable throughout time, and given those, who if listened to, may guide us in the correct direction to arrive at the destination intended for us.

Their words are sometimes harsh, hurting as do goads, with the realization of their truth, that bear no excuse, and must be accepted.     

This is so, only because they come from the Master himself, shepherd of the souls of all mankind, who has the authority and duty to separate His sheep from the goats in a final judgment.

“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:12-14)

The time is coming, and soon, whether for individual, or nation, that the judgment of God will be faced.

There is no secret that will not be known, no deed done, good, or evil that will go unanswered.

We are birthed with a purpose of glorifying God, and are to keep his commandments in order to do so.

There is a single commandment left us by Jesus, to love one another, that if truly followed in Spirit and in Truth, will brook no failure in following all the commandments, guidance, and teachings of our Lord.

To be able to do this, though, one more requirement must be met and that simple requirement allows for redemption, but only through repentance.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

I close with the reminder of the opening, that the requirement has always been and will always be the same, God is unchanging. His word is unchanging and immutable!

I remain as ever, still your humble servant, attempting to reach others who may not say as I do, that we are nothing without Him, have no hope without Him, and are therefore, all sinners. I, however, remain a simple sinner saved by His grace through the faith in his Son, and the atonement made long ago for my sin. I remain also, an unworthy soldier in His service, until such time as I stand before the throne beside my intercessor, who can and will make me worthy.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer