“The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.” Ecclesiastes 12:11
May 30, 2025
School buses will soon be idle. Classrooms will only echo discussions and lectures. School hallways will be deserted. But the school of life runs to the end of our time on this earth. We are reminded that our times are in the hands of God. At the same time the goal in the school of life is to learn how to live under God’s authority. The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that God is sovereign and we are not. Even satisfaction in life comes only from the hand of God. Enjoy life with your spouse (Eccles. 9:9), your labor, food and drink (Eccles. 9:7; 7:2). God’s judgment is coming (3:17; 11:9). “Goads and nails”- the words of those who teach us biblical truth guide and stimulate us to godly living. The learning of our biblical lessons involves the necessity of concentrating in the pursuit of truth. Pray for those in the worrying generation. Back to the dangers of smartphones. It’s been said that they are kryptonite for attention. “Lord, give our youth loads of truth encounters and keep them out of the ditches of life.”
H
“My times are in Thy hands!
To Thee I can entrust
My slumbering day, till Thy command
Bids all the dead before Thee stand,
Awaking from the dust.
Beholding Thee,
What bliss ‘t will be
With all Thy saints to spend eternity!“
Christopher Newman Hall