Perspective
Recently there was a show on about the book “The Old Man and the Sea.” The narrator who was talking about it was older and, he told how he had to read this when in school. He said he had not read it since then, and he was amazed at the things he learned. His reasoning was because he was a young man when he read it, and now being in the later part of his life, he saw things he had never noticed about it before. Time had given him a new way of looking at this great work.
Over the years, this has been one of the things that I have mentioned about the Bible. The Bible is not a book one can pick up and read one time and then know all about it. It needs to be read over and over again to truly gain our attention.
In my reading, I have noticed things that never occurred to me when I was in my 20’s, 30’s 50’s or even 60’s. And there are things that I continue to learn as well.
An example of this is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon wrote this book of the Bible to let us know that all is vanity (empty). Solomon had more wisdom and possessions than any other person, and yet everything was futile.
In chapter 12 of this book, he writes about what happens at the end of life, when one is older. You know, when you are not as strong as you once were, where you do not have as many teeth to eat with, your hands tremble, you don’t like high places, etc. All of these things are not seen in youth, but as you start to get older, you begin to notice some of them. Take time to read this chapter in the Bible (I just did). See if you can identify with this if you are older.
And if you are younger and these things aren’t happening to you yet, please note the beginning of this chapter, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no delight in them’;” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) and verses 13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
The more you read the Bible, the more you learn about God and His plan for you life. And you will find help in a time of need for the problems you face.