My dear readers,

1. WHAT PROFIT IN LABOUR? (Ecclesiastes 1 & 2)

The mass of mankind revolts from the Preacher's judgment. He therefore throws down the challenge. "What profit…?" (Eccl 1:3).Oh yes, all labour brings its own pro­fit; all gathering its own harvest. On the other hand the slothful will come to pov­erty and grief. So the wise king said, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise" (Prov 6:6). Paul the Apostle testified how he "wrought with labour and travail night and day... to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow. . . that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thess 3:8-10). Surely on this earth all men since Adam’s day are born to a life of toil and labour. Had not the Lord Creator ruled that "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground" (Gen 3:19)?

There is dignity in manual labour. "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister..." (Mark 10:45) His example blotted out any stain of meanness and elevated manual work to be worthy of the greatest of men. So, Singapore’s first Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew did the country a good turn by his "Use Your Hands Campaign" in schools. Every young person should train his hands not merely for pen and keyboard, but brooms and brushes, mops and pails as well, to lasting profit for home and country.

When we consider the realities "beyond the sun" then the profits of our earthly labour amount to little. Whatever the success and profit, even the gain­ing of the whole world, everything that we have achieved stops on this side of the grave. Nothing of our earthly profit is carried beyond. Build yourself a man­sion, a city, an empire, yet you cannot avoid meeting death in every street. To expect from the world that which is not in it, is surely to "labour for that which satisfieth not" (Isa 55:2).

To pursue wisdom, riches, honour and sensual indulgence is to chase after vanity, to see shadow for substance."Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life…" (John 6:27) so says the Lord of life.

2. TO EVERYTHING A SEASON (Ecclesiastes 3)

Everything around us is in a perpetual state of flux and change. We see one vast shifting scene. To the world the constant motion is part of fate and chance. Not so, says the Preacher. "To every thing there is a season" (Eccl 3:1); to every change an unseen Hand is in control. All events, whether the most casual or the most care­fully contrived, are over-ruled. To everything there is a time fixed and predeter­mined. Did you think that it was by your careful planning, fore-thought and ef­fort that it happened the way it did? Not so! God was in overall control!

Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world (Acts15:18). It is He who sees the end from the beginning, who keeps His eyes on things great and small, even from everlasting to everlasting. Everything happens ac­cording to His good will and foreknowledge. Do you know this great God as your Saviour, Lord, and Master? In Him you may have absolute confidence and trust, for with Him there are no emergencies, no accidents, no surprises. He knows your entire life, every event from the cradle to the grave. Did you know, dear believer, He thought of you and included you in His plan long before you were born!

God has His TIME TABLE. Even the school child will understand this. We all function according to a time table -- more or less. But God’s TIME TABLE is better than ours! Infinitely better! He never needs alter it, or update it from year to year. He keeps His appointments "to the dot of the hour." He is never late, never too early. Our God is always just on time! How marvellous! That’s why He is God -- He never makes a mistake, is never taken by surprise.

So there was a season for Israel to sojourn in Egypt and a season for Israel to be delivered. Moses tried 40 years before the time. He failed miserably. But when God’s time came, "on the self-same day," the hosts of the Lord went out ofEgypt, not a day late! (Exod 12:41). In the fulness of time, the Saviour came (Gal 4:4). Before the appointed time none could lay hands on Jesus, but when His time was come, He laid down His life. Soon He’s coming again -- when the time is fulfilled. Do you know the time and season?

3. REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR (Ecclesiastes 12)

The Preacher opens this final chapter with an appeal to young people -- ­those in the flower of youth. With all his wisdom and experience, Solomon ad­dresses you, my young reader! His words are "worth their weight in gold"!

But the world says, "Youth is for pleasure, old age forGod! God can wait, there’s time enough to consider religion another day. NOW is the time foren­joyment and fun." The Devil wants your prime time -- God can have you when you are bent and lame!

Not so, says Solomon. The best time to serve God is NOW! The pleasures and passions of youth lead on to a slippery path, the broad way "that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matt 7:13). The glitter of the world is an illusion. Its promise is sweet, its payment bitter. Christian reader, the world is vain -- worse than vanity. It must have no claim on you.­

But there is One who owns us. He made us, then re-made us. He is our Creator and Redeemer, the Almighty. He made all things and He owns every­thing. He owns you! Rightfully, God claims you -- your time, your ability, your possessions, yourself. He is the great God who died for you to give you new life, eternal life. Is this not reason enough to remember Him? And what better time to show your gratitude than NOW when you are not too old!

But by nature we tend to forget, even to forget those who have done us the greatest good. Nature and habit detract from our needful duties. Alas! Do we not oftentimes neglect our loving God, the Heavenly Father, who is always giving and forgiving? Our hearts cannot deny it, our conscience rebukes us.­

Hear then the words of wisdom and truth: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl 12:1).Remember Him! For, remem­brance is the essence ofgratitude. Think of Him first thing in the morning. Pon­der His Almighty power and unspeakable love. Meditate on His Word all the day long. Serve Him with heart and soul and mind and strength. Give Him the strength of your youth.

Remember Him -- now!

God bless all readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor