Note: There times when a lesson is longer than two pages. This is because there is no place to break it into two lessons. Such is the case with this lesson - JMN.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1
In Ecclesiastes we find the perspective of one who searched for the meaning of life.... The "Preacher" (Solomon) examined wisdom, riches, and pleasure. He shared the fruits of his search: what he saw as vanity, and what was good. To those who are young, he offered the following exhortations:
Rejoice in your youth - Ecc 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”
Remove sorrow and evil from your youth - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”
Remember God in your youth - Ecc 12:1 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,”
Reflect upon what is coming - Ecc 12:1 “before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";”
I doubt that many young people would take issue with the first exhortation.... They gladly rejoice in their youth. They are happy to let their hearts cheer them, to walk in the ways of their hearts and in the sight of their eyes. But the remaining exhortations...?. To remove sorrow and evil, remember God, reflect upon what is to come?. Doesn't that take the joy out of youth? Not really, and there are several good reasons why we need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Youth has no guarantee of the future. Death is no respecter of persons. Death frequently strikes those who believe they are invincible from accidents, disease and/or war. In the course of my youth, I saw it happen time and again. Terry King (17) died of liver cancer. Tim Heffer (15) dropped dead of a heart attack. Karen Shower’s college roommate did not wake up one morning; her bodily functions simply stopped! Two college classmates (20) were killed in car wrecks. Not to be morbid, nor to scare, but to face reality. No one is promised the future. Life is truly just a vapor - Ja 4:14-17 “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” -- As a recent bumper sticker put it: “Many who plan to repent at the 11th hour, die at 10:30”
THE LORD IS COMING... He is coming in judgment - 2 Pe 3:7 “But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”, 9-11 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,”; 2 Th 1:7-9 “and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” There will be youths at that time who will not have the benefit of a long life; who will not have the time to change. -- Therefore, we ought to prepare for the future (which is a sign of maturity).
Even if one is blessed to live a long life, with plenty of time to change, there is another reason to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Misspent youth can curse your future. You reap what you sow. An important principle of life to remember - Ga 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” What you do while young can permanently affect your future. Not just your future in eternity, but your future in this life!
There is danger in the sowing of “wild oats”. Sowing the seeds of rebellion. Young people are often inclined to rebel against all forms of authority (parents, teachers, police, etc.). Yet God has ordained that we submit to authority - Ro 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”; 1 Pe 2:13-14 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” Rebellion against authority has caused many young people to spend years in prison.
Sowing the seeds of lying. Many young people don’t think about the fact that once you are caught in a lie, your credibility is shattered. Your word means nothing, you can no longer be trusted. This has adverse affects on your relationships and your employment
Sowing the seeds of stealing. Shoplifting and other such crimes are rampant among many young people. If caught, others will be suspicious and you will not be given positions of fiscal responsibility.
Sowing the seeds of fornication. Sex among young people is very popular. Yet many do not consider the "high price": sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, AIDS, unwanted pregnancy (often compounded by abortion), or forced marriages, which often lead to divorce.
Sowing the seeds of using drugs. Drugs have great potential for ruining our lives. What’s so bad about drugs? Some are illegal, and their use violates Ro 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Many are addictive, and their use violates 1 Co 6:12 ‘"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Others are destructive to the body, and their use violates 1 Co 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
It has been said that “Most men spend the first half of their lives making the second half miserable.” (La Bruyere) That is why you need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth.” When you do, then the following can be true; well spent youth can bless your future. Compare the foolish and the wise child.
The foolish child. Doesn’t remember God in his youth. Won't listen to the advice of others. Has to learn for himself. Invariably makes a mess out of his life (in health, marriage, or career). Spends a good portion of life undoing foolish actions of youth. Suffers from the consequences of his actions.
The wise child. Remembers God in his youth. Follows God's advice, and that of others. Learns from the mistakes of others. Begins life with a solid foundation and good head start. Able to accomplish more good in life. Will enjoy pleasurable memories, not bemoan his past
-- What a difference in the quality of life there can be when one makes the right
choices while young!
The wise child will show their wisdom. By learning to respect authority now (beginning with parents) - Ep 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."’ By learning to control your body (as did Paul) - 1 Co 9:27 “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” By obeying the gospel - Ga 3:26-27 “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” By growing spiritually, bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Thus becoming an example of the believers - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
-- This is what is involved in remembering God while young
No one can be “forced” to remember God in their youth.... We can only point out the dangers when one does not. We can remind you of the benefits when one does -- I hope this lesson will encourage the young person to make the right choice. But one thing is certain: God will remember...! God will bring you into judgment for all that you do - Ecc 11:9 “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” Which is why one should “Fear God and keep His commandments” - Ecc 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” You only live once...will you make the right choice to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”?
