How can we "remember the days of darkness" in our daily lives today? A Timely Reminder from Ecclesiastes 11:8 “So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile.” — Ecclesiastes 11:8 What the “Days of Darkness” Encompass - Physical death and the grave (Job 10:21–22) - Seasons of suffering, hardship, or persecution (Psalm 88:3–6) - Final judgment for the unbeliever (Hebrews 9:27) - Any period where God’s light is intentionally ignored or resisted (John 3:19) Why the Lord Calls Us to Remember - To keep our hearts humble before Him (Psalm 90:12) - To stir gratitude for every present mercy (Lamentations 3:22–23) - To anchor us in eternal realities, not temporary pleasures (2 Corinthians 4:17–18) - To motivate earnest evangelism while time remains (2 Corinthians 5:11) Practical Ways to Keep the Days of Darkness in View • Begin each morning by reading or reciting a brief Scripture on life’s brevity (e.g., Psalm 39:4–5) • Visit cemeteries or attend funerals with a heart ready to ponder eternity (Ecclesiastes 7:2) • Keep a simple journal noting daily evidences of God’s mercy; contrast them with the certainty of death apart from Christ • Fast periodically, using hunger pains as reminders that earthly life is fragile (Matthew 6:16–18) • Set phone or calendar alerts with verses on Christ’s return and judgment (1 Thessalonians 5:2–6) • Speak often of heaven and hell in family conversations, grounding children in biblical reality (Deuteronomy 6:6–7) How Remembering Shapes Everyday Choices - Stewardship: Spend, save, and give with eternity in mind (Matthew 6:19–21) - Purity: Say no to sin because you will answer to a holy Judge (1 Peter 1:17) - Relationships: Forgive quickly, realizing life is “a vapor that appears for a little while” (James 4:14) - Worship: Gather with the saints faithfully, anticipating the eternal assembly (Hebrews 10:24–25) Living with Hope amid the Darkness - Christ has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10) - Believers look for “a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13) - Remembering darkness drives us to the Light of the world, Jesus (John 8:12) - The Lord promises, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20) Key Scriptures to Keep Close • Psalm 90:12 — “Teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.” • Hebrews 9:27–28 — Judgment is certain, but so is salvation for those who eagerly await Christ. • 1 Peter 1:24–25 — Flesh is like grass, but the word of the Lord endures forever. • Revelation 21:4 — For the redeemed, darkness will give way to eternal light. Closing Encouragement Stand in the bright joy God grants today, yet let the certainty of coming darkness keep your feet on the narrow path. Remembering fuels wisdom, soberness, and vibrant hope until you finally step into unending day. |
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