God’s Hour Glass
Youth Bible Study
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God’s Hour Glass
I am very fond of simple illustration which often reveal the simple truths of God’s Word more effectively than an exhaustive commentary.
One such symbol to me is the Hourglass.
This, young people, is a common hourglass used to measure short periods of time.
Time is a creation of God from the foundation of the world. It is measured by the transactions or event.
We use clocks and calendars to mark time, but from old times, we used an hour-glass to mark a given passage of time such as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even an hour, much as we use stop watches today.
Our lives are measured in time. The Bible tells us in James 4:14: “What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” and in Isaiah 40:7-8 : “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: Because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: Surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
The life of a man, woman, or child, might be compared with the Hour Glass.
The length of our days is calculated by the number of grains of sand in the upper chamber of our hour glass.
The hourglass is a device made with two chambers – an upper chamber and a lower chamber. In between the chambers is a small aperture that allows a certain amount of sand to fall from the top chamber to the lower. The passage time depends upon the number of grains of sand that fall through that aperture until all the grains are expended. Our past life is measured by the grains in the bottom chamber, and our life remaining is measured by the grains remaining there. With the common hourglass, we may estimate the number of days of our lives remaining by viewing the upper chamber; but the Hourglass of God is different.
God determines the length of our lives, but that length is a mystery to us.
If we knew the exact day of our death, how dreadful would be our hope. But that last day is a mystery retained by God.
So, in God’s Hourglass, we can only know the number of years past, and cannot see the upper chamber to determine years remaining. When the last grain of sand of our lives fall, there is no more time for us – we are then disposed to meet our Maker either as His elect children, or as those who are doomed to the destruction of fire.
Our souls are immortal. They do not die with the body, but are destined to live forever with God their Father, or to suffer the chains of Hell.
How we live our lives, the choices we make, the manner in which we respond to the calling God, will determine the final disposition of our souls.
When our grains of sand, or time on earth is exhausted, where shall we stand – that is the most important question of our lives.
A few years ago, I wrote a poem describing the Hourglass of God:
TIME IN A GLASS
The sands of time are passing fine,
each grain a matchless treasure.
But doleful man can ne'er opine
to make a useful measure.
How sadly do the hours fly on,
with golden blessings laden,
At last to wing their ways beyond
and find their ancient haven.
A speck of dust on Time's far shore
is all that mortals merit.
But human souls may find the Door
and Heaven's gold inherit.
The shining glass conceals the score
of sand left in the balance,
And man nor beast can yet discern
the cost of Time in Talents.
~ by Jerry Ogles, Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church
Gospel of St. John 8:32 -
The most important consideration for each oif us to insure that we waste none of our grains of time, but serving Christ in all our ways.
Until next time, May the Lord of all righteousness bless and keep you in His love and grace.
Good bye.
~ by Jerry Ogles, Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church
Gospel of St. John 8:32 -
Until next time, May the Lord of all righteousness bless and keep you in His love and grace.
Good bye.
