Subscription Lists

Word from Scotland

    by Sandy Shaw

Help Us Where We So Need All the Help Available
Date Posted: April 20, 2020

“Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come – the opening words of Ecclesiastes Chapter 12. This is a verse which has influenced my life, even when I did not know its significance - nor what was happening. This was the motto of the Boys' Brigade.

Read this Chapter.

Remember your Creator - when life might be easier - when there are not so many burdens or demands.

Remember means more than "not forget" - it means to renew our relationship - or have a relationship - with your Creator - with your God - with Jesus Christ - as early as you can in life.

Verse 2 - As the years go by Solomon describes how life was not as bright as it once was.

The aging process was taking its toll on Solomon. The arms and hands, which were used for defending oneself, were not as strong.

Verse 3 - He sees someone bent over - and begins to describe various features. The thatch falls out - the teeth are not what they were - the windows become clouded or dimmed.

Verse 4 - The hearing fails or fades. Solomon had none of the helps and aids, which are available today.

Verse 5 - He realises one is no longer able to move so fast. There is fear of heights - or perhaps a fear of new heights.

In 1965 there was no fear in going to Canada - and in 1980 when we went to Wisconsin for seven weeks - but Uganda was different - and these past five visits to Kenya was different.

Does the almond tree blossoming refer to hair going silver and white - and the grasshopper drags himself along - in the morning the legs are not as mobile right away.

This is an amazing poetic description of what happens physically and mentally - as he contemplates death.

That is another reason for remembering your Creator - remember your Saviour - your Lord - your King - Who is coming again. Jesus is in control.

Verse 6 – Remember God - remember your Creator - relate to Him. God remembered Noah.

Silver chord - does that refer to the spinal chord?

Golden Bowl - does that refer to the skull? - the pitcher - the heart - the wheel - the circulation?

Verse 7 - Make sure you are related to God before it is time to return physically to the dust - because then it is too late. How we finish depends so much upon how we have remembered our God - our Creator - our Saviour.

The preacher's answer to the meaningless of so much of life is - Remember your Creator - remember God - include God in everything - never leave Him out or ignore or neglect Him. This is the key, which unlocks so many of the mysteries in our world. Make God the foundation of your life.

Verse 9 - The Teacher imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered - searched out - and set in order. This was all done with great care and attention to detail.

The teacher searched to find out just the right words. He wanted to write only what was upright and true. This book, and these proverbs, are arranged with great care.

Verse 11 – May these words be fixed like nails in your mind - he is concerned with anchoring the Word in our lives - securing it in our hearts. And The Word of God can be like goads at times - as they prod or poke you. Goads stimulate you to correct your path or alter your behaviour. All this is given by one Shepherd! The book presents to us the heart of God the Shepherd - I am the Good Shepherd. Did Solomon remember at this point the words of his Psalm writing dad? "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Verse 12 – We have to be careful about what we allow into our minds. There are so many books - and much study wearies the body.

This is coming from the man who researched so many areas of life - and he found no satisfaction until he brought God into the picture.

The warning is - Don't go off at tangents. Don't wander all over the place blown around by every wind of doctrine. Don't get too hang up on what so-and-so says - particularly if it is some kind of spiritual novelty.

Verse 13 - We come to the conclusion. Fear God - keep His Commandments. "This is the wholeness of man"! The word 'duty' is not there in the original. Here is the secret to wholeness. God does not want our lives to be fragmented. He does not want us to be easily upset - or touchy - huffy - erratic - but stable, controlled and balanced.

The secret of wholeness lies in resolving to obey God and His Word.

Partial commitment won't do us any good - there is no room for compromise here.

Verse 14 – One day everything will be revealed. Everything will come to light. Man cannot hide from God for ever. God will bring everything out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent - whether it is good or evil.

The Message translates verse 13 - "Fear God. Do what He tells you. And that's it."

2 Timothy 4 verse 7 - Paul was able to say as he drew near the end of his life - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith.

“Almighty God – Holy God – help me never to put off or delay this important matter. Help me to have my relationship with You all in order before this life on earth is over – before I die – or before Jesus Christ comes again. Loving Father, thank You for these wise, warning, and encouraging words from Solomon – help me – help us – in Jesus Name.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Seeing Another's Light

Read Article »
Biography Information:

Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!

Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.

Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.

Got Something to Share?
LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.