2nd August 2014

What a remarkable observer was that ancient who in the Old Book said: “Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:12).

Sadly the words have been too frequently fulfilled these last few months, as plane after plane has been snared, and soul after soul has unexpectedly met its final hour, and heart after heart has been broken. Indeed, broken in heart are all who observe such evil things.

Surprisingly though, the ancient who wrote these words, said them not in some resignation to fate, nor in lip-biting despair, but trusting that the God above remains sovereign and not without purpose in all that he does. And at the conclusion of his Book of observations about life, commends us still to ‘fear God and to keep his commandments’.

It is an act of courage to remain faithful in difficult times. And yet we should, and so we must. Equally it is an act of faith in difficult times to pray to Him whose ways are so much higher than ours. And yet we may, and so we do:

O Wind of heaven, by your might

Save all who dare the eagle’s flight

And keep them by your watchful care

From every peril in the air.

DM 29^th July 2014