THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say: ’I have no pleasure in them." Ecclesiates 12:1
The challenge given by the writer of Ecclesiates to the youth of his generation is a challenge that needs to be sounded to every generation.
I. THE ONE CALLED TO REMEMBRANCE: "THY CREATOR".
1. Witness the testimony of the Old Testament:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1.
2. Witness the testimony of the New Testament:
"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16.
II. THE CALL: REMEMBER NOW!
Now…in the morning years of your life. The time to remember to magnify God in our lives is now. Hear the call of I Chronicles 20:5: "Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?"
III. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN REMEMBERING NOW THY CREATOR?
"Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Psalm 96:7-9.
For us to be motivated to do this requires that we must….
1. Remember His exaltation:
This will invoke praise, worship and reverence. He is holy, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.
2. Remember His nature:
Compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness, grace. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7.
3. Remember His commandments:
We should respect and obey all the commandments of God. The Pharisees sought to entrap Jesus, asking Him, "Which is the great commandment in the law?". The answer that Jesus gave is one that we would do well to heed today.
"Jesus said to him: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matt. 22:37-40
IV. WHY NOW? WHY NOT LATER IN LIFE?
1. Now…before the "difficult days come in your life". Habits and traits a person develops in their youth almost invariably stay with them for the rest of their life.
2. "Now" is the only time in eternity we can be assured of having.
3. The fields are ready unto harvest (John 4:35).
