12 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).
This is a message to the young. It is a challenge to those who have tasted the sweetness of life’s cup and are called to remember Him who gave it. It is a plea for young and old to turn to the Lord of Life who judges youth and age alike and who alone can bestow upon His children the crown of life that fadeth not away.
Reasons why the Creator should be remembered in youth are numerous and weighty.
The young should remember the Creator in youth because it is possible that the young shall never be old. Death is no stranger to the bloom of youth; and while it is true that the old must die, it is also true that the young do die. The saddest funerals of any minister’s life are those conducted for the young. Young people are vigorous, active, enthusiastic, courageous, and inclined to take chances. Accidents often cut down the young; and in such cases, where the young one has forgotten to remember the Lord, or has postponed it, the grief of the parents is intensified a thousand fold. “Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2)
A second reason for remembering the Lord in youth is that delay may make it harder to obey the Lord. Out text speaks of the evil days that come afterwards. None can anticipate the changes that life may bring to any of us. The writer of Hebrews admonishes, “13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:13). Young people, do you know that you can be hardened? You can free yourself from the encircling power of sin, but you must move quickly. A little while longer, and you may become harden. Your hearts today which are so young and fresh and touched with sweetness and tenderness, tomorrow may be as hard as a flint-axe.
Thirdly, by remembering the Lord now, the young can save a whole life for God. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great London preacher, about one hundred and seventy years ago took two candles into the pulpit. One was less than an inch high. The other reached the floor. He lighted them both and said, “When an old man is saved, it is like lighting this short candle. It is lighted all right, but it goes out in an hour. When a young person is saved, it is like lighting this long one. It will burn for days.”
By remembering the Lord in youth, one can give his best to the Lord. You are to become the Bride of Christ. It is therefore proper for you to bring him your youthful innocence, your youthful happiness, your youthful enthusiasm, and your youthful love. What a glorious offering a young one can make when such treasures as these are surrendered and laid at the Savior’s feet!
Onward Rejoicing,
John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
