Remember the Days of Darkness?
Be Strong, Be Well — Wednesday, April 29
Ecclesiastes 11:8 says, “But if a man lives many years and rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.”
Solomon is saying we should remember the dark days when bad things happened in our life. Now, this is the opposite of what we normally do. We try to forget the bad stuff. Who wants to bring up days of sickness and sorrow, days when things weren’t going very well for us, days we would rather forget?
What would be the reason for bringing these thoughts back to the forefront of our mind? Well, they help us appreciate more fully the good days.
Why do we yearn for heaven? Because the days we have here on this earth are often accompanied with trouble, trials, and heartache. Job said, "Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). However, David said, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Those in the first century, during the days of distress and persecution were told, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
When were facing hardship and trials of various sorts, remember, we have God’s help. Second, we may need to go through these dark days to test us. Will we be found worthy?
James recorded, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (1:2-4).
We should strive to use these days of uncertainty, inconvenience, and more serious sufferings, as stepping stones to greater appreciation of God’s great blessings and His help during the dark days. Ultimately, it causes us to anticipate even more our future home where there will be no dark or sorrowful days. —Chris