"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). God does not exempt the aged from the obligation to remember Him, but He does tell us when such devotion ought to begin--in the days of youth. But look at society today, and see how far the youth have strayed from God! See so many young people who are made in God's image but have so little regard for Him! The have so little reverence for His name, know so little about His Word, give so little to His service, and commit so little to His ways. See so many who live by the philosophy, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" (1 Cor 15:32). Even the more religious young people put off their dealings with God today, thinking that they can follow Him tomorrow. Some blatantly pursue the pleasures of sin, believing that they will eventually have their fill and change their ways. Others have the appearance of true religion but have not turned to God from the heart. What is the answer for young people? God says, "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth."

Remember Him now because you are not guaranteed tomorrow. We usually expect that the young will see many days of life, but it is often not so. Death is no respecter of persons: it claims the young as well as the old. Is it just to the old that the scriptures say, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Prov 27:1)? Is it not just as true for the young? Consider Abel who died at a young age at the hand of his brother (Genesis 4:8). Consider David's child who died within a week of his birth (2 Sam 12:18). Consider the forty-two youths who were mauled by two female bears (2 Kings 2:23-24). Consider Eutychus who fell out of a window to His death (Acts 20:9) and Jairus' daughter who died at the age of twelve (Mark 5:21-43). Many other examples are found both in the scriptures and in our life experiences. Have not many of us been to the funeral of a life ended at a young age, where we were torn by grief and silenced by God's incomprehensible providence? What lesson is to be learned from this? Certainly this one: youth is the time to seek God. It is utter presumption at any stage of life to think that tomorrow must come, and the wise will take this to heart. Now is the time to remember God because life hangs by a fragile thread. Now is the time to remember God because tomorrow is guaranteed to none.

Remember Him now because the hindrances of old age are great. This is the primary emphasis of the passage: "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them'" (Eccl 12:1). Many believe that because old age brings the abatement of youthful desires, the elderly will seek God all the more. But consider the difficulties that come with old age: trembling of hands and feet, dimming of the eyes, loss of hearing, difficulty sleeping, fears of even the ordinary, loss of desire, bodily pain and sickness, difficulty concentrating, and the onset of senility, just to name some! These difficulties often prove to be even greater hindrances than the distractions of youth. Then in a moment all opportunity is gone, and "man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets" (Eccl 12:5). Therefore, do not delay, for your opportunities and abilities are greater now than in the days ahead. "Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it" (Eccl 12:6-7).

Remember Him now because sin has consequences. Every choice in life bears consequences, whether for good or evil. Choices made apart from the Lordship of Christ bear fruits that last even after conversion. Young people must learn to look beyond the moment. They must think of the hour, the day, the month, the year, and the lifetime. Life shows forth that it is a bitter thing to reject the ways of God. This is not only true in eternity but in time as well. Who lives a life of sin and does not inherit trouble? They may seem to have happiness for a time, but their path is one of sorrow and regret. This is why Paul could ask the Romans, "what fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?" (Rom 6:21). "There is no peace," says God, "for the wicked" (Is 57:21).

Many Christians have lamented the choices of their youth. "Oh, if only I had sought Him in my younger days! I would have been spared the consequences of my sin. I would have been spared these battles with guilt and memories of the past. I would not have hurt the lives of others as I did. I would have been able to accomplish good in the world rather than evil. I would have glorified the God who made me." Young people should learn this lesson well. There is no sin that will leave you better off in the end. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Gal 6:7).

Remember Him now because He is a God of judgment. When an illness goes unchecked over time, it progresses and becomes worse so that in the end it is much more difficult to cure. If a weed is not uprooted when it is young, it grows downward and upward, so that its roots become strong and it chokes the life out of the surrounding plants. So also those who continually reject the gospel in youth become more and more entangled by sin. But the situation is even worse than this. The scriptures teach that God often rewards continual defiance by hardening the heart and giving sinners over to vile conduct. Because they do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved, "God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thes 2:11-12).  His mercy is great but His mercy is not to be presumed; therefore, seek Him while He may be found.

Christ will one day judge the world in righteousness, making a separation of the just and the unjust. "For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Eccl 12:14). Oh what a dreadful day for some! When they will see His piercing eyes as a flame of fire! Then every mouth will be shut and all will bow to His justice. The young must view life in light of this final day. They must remember Christ's words: "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Luke 11:23). They must be prepared to meet their God. And who can stand on that day apart from the salvation of Jesus Christ? Therefore, receive Him now while you have time. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2).

Above all, remember Him because He is worthy of it, and He commands you to do so. He is your creator. He sustains your every breath, supplies your every need, provides your every possession, and directs your every path. He is your God. He is not only worthy of your complete allegiance, but it is His due. He has made you to glorify Himself. Remember Him, then, by seeking His salvation from your sins through His sacrifice on the cross. Remember Him by learning His Word and applying it to your heart and life. Remember Him by trusting Him and keeping His commandments. Remember Him by honoring His name and seeking His glory. Remember Him by loving Him and making Him known to others in your conduct and conversation. And when you see how far short you fall, remember His mercy, for He is a God who is willing to save sinners.

If you would like to receive further information concerning these matters, please contact Joseph Montalto.