A bowl which will soon be broken!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14

Time passes on apace! Our time is very short and uncertain. It will not be long, "before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken." The skull wherein the brains are enclosed, is a bowl which will soon be broken!

Our soul is in the body, as the bird in the shell, which soon breaks - and the bird flies out. The shell of the body is soon broken - and the soul flies into eternity! We know not whether we shall live another day. Before we hear another sermon-bell ring, our death-bell may ring. Our life runs as a swift stream - into the ocean of eternity!

Brethren, if our time is so short and transient - if the candle of life is so soon consumed, or perhaps blown out by an unexpectant death - how should we use all our strength, that we may obtain the kingdom of glory! If time is so short, why do we waste it on trivial things - and neglect the "one thing needful"? A man who has a great work to be done, and but one day for doing it, needs to work hard. We have a great work to do, we are striving for an eternal glorious kingdom, and alas! we are not certain of one day to work in!

"So teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!" Psalm 90:12