A powerful word from cynical Solomon from the book of Ecclesiastes to every believer age 40 and below.
Chapter 12 begins, “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.”
Many young people believe that, with their entire lives before them, they can live for themselves NOW... and get serious about God and His mission LATER.
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
Despite this warning, they are convinced they have time to do all the things they want to do—first. But how audacious it is, Solomon declares, to offer to the holy, Creator God our left-overs rather than our very best!
While we present ourselves to the Lord “in the days of our youth” (12:1a), as strapping and vivacious young people with unending promise, potential and possibility, Solomon describes us presenting ourselves for the Lord’s use at a time in life when we are none of those things (in 12:1b–7). In our old age, we’ll live a whole different experience:
• Life, itself, is a burden (12:1b)
• We have one health crisis after another (12:2)
• Our hands are shaking (12:3a), and our knees are bowing and weak (12:3b)
• Our teeth are falling out (12:3c)
• We’re losing our sight (12:3d)
• We’re losing our hearing (12:4a)
• We awaken from sleep at the slightest sound (12:4b)
• Our voice is deep and weak (12:4c)
• We become afraid of heights (12:5a), and all kinds of other minor things (12:5b)
• Our hair turns white just before turning loose! (12:5c)
• The smallest things become a hassle (12:5d)
• The desires that used to drive us are no longer there (12:5e) because we’re about to die (12:5f)
• Our body, in general, is just falling apart, until it is thrown in the ground and returns to dust (12:6–7)
Through Solomon’s words, God is calling every young man and woman: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth!”