KIRKCALDY

(iii) Robert Renton

1 Corinthians 4: 15; Psalm 90: 12

Our brother in his opening prayer referred to fatherhood, a very necessary yet scarce commodity. The apostle says where we have read, "For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers". I always looked on our beloved brother as a father in Kirkcaldy. Now, the question is, who will fill the ranks? It is a very necessary feature in every locality - fatherhood. John says in his epistle, "I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning". I would say that that would be true of our brother. May we be exercised to exhibit this feature, so necessary, kindness, affection. I was privileged to be with him on Saturday night. He had not been feeling well during the day but he came along to a brother's house and I was privileged to be with him. He was bright, and happy, and in a few hours he was with the Lord.

"So teach us to number our days": dear friends, if any are unconverted here, I would appeal to you. Life is so short; things are so uncertain: what really matters is a link with Jesus and to be assured that that is your portion! And for the rest of us who are left, let us number our days, beloved brethren. Some of us at best cannot have long to go, but may we see to it that each day is dedicated and devoted for the pleasure of God. What greater could there be? Our brother will be missed. I shall miss him. But soon and very soon we will all be with the Lord Jesus. He has just gone a little while before. May our hearts be comforted and, as the Psalm says, "So teach us" - we need to be taught - "to number our days, that we may acquire a wise heart". May the Lord bless the word for His Name's sake!

20 April 1995

(Burial of John Wilson)