The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes writes “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach you when you will say “I find no pleasure in them”, (12:1). Many young minds, who have been blessed divinely with good health are apt to think that they are too young to enlist in the Lord’s service, and they see the ordinances of God, and think off them to be undesirable in their youth for there is much fun to be had in the world. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does is there desire and they see no joy in the things of Christ because it is contrary to their sinful nature. They hear of the commands of God that we are to put off our old nature, to mortify our corrupt passions, to flee lust, to turn from darkness into light, and they seek to delay such piety to their old age and then commit themselves to the service of Christ. But they know not, that in their old age, when their body is feeble and weak and so entrenched in the passions of this world that they will find no pleasure in them.
If the reason for your delay in serving Christ is due to the mortification of your flesh, and the daily carrying of your cross, and denying yourself the passions of this world; what better time to begin than in the days of your youth. When you are still a student, when your strength is high and no frailty is in you, what better time to carry your cross and endure hardness as a good and reliable soldier of Christ. Is not the life of your years only 70 or do you think you will live to a thousand? Does not eternity follow this life and how many millions of years will you spend following the pleasantries of delight? Is not the reward of the righteous the abode of heaven and the wicked the flames of hell? Is God, not the source of all goodness and is Christ commands not easy? For the path of holiness brings a better reward than the sweet failing comforts of this life. Did not Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. For he chose to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Will you not look also to your reward and follow the example of Moses. Will you delay yet longer and perish in your sins for the time is coming when no man will work and the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
The Lord gave us a commandment that we should Love Him with all of our soul, mind and strength. The Love of a young man compared to the love of an old man is more active for one has yet strength to engage in all sorts of errands and active duty in which an old man is declined to do. Did Jesus not choose young disciples and most of them being young in the beginning of their service became amiable characters of faith, and although their faith began as rubber, the many years in their youth which they spend gladly serving their master turned their faith into hard steel that even the worst persecution would not release their joy and confidence in their captain. They delighted in the holiness to which God has called them and their testimony was filled with joy inexpressible and full of glory. Which disciple ever regretted his early service to the Lord? Samuel, we know from his youth served the Lord and it was his joy to serve him all of his life. Timothy knew the scriptures from his youth and how a useful instrument he was to the aging Paul.
If you delay your serving of the Lord until you are of a solid age, how do you know that you will delight in Him then? Or do you not know that sin will take you captive and bid you to do his will and you will have no more strength to fight against it. If you do begin to serve the Lord in your old age, will your mind not be filled with anxiety and deeply regret the fact that you had not begun sooner. But we see great delights among the saints who despise the sensual pleasures of this world and with difficulty subdue their bodies and wills to God Almighty; this is very pleasing to their captain and glorifies Him. Will you not seek to glorify God in your youth by running errands for him and delighting in Him? For He died for you and redeemed you from the corruption of this world and He sanctifies you.
What will you now do! Will you serve the Lord Jesus in the days of your youth, while you are still a student, energetic and fresh or will you return to the pleasures of Egypt? Did He not come to deliver you from the power of sin, for He shed his precious blood to redeem you. Or will you spend your youthful burst in the service of sin and then serve your redeemer in the slowness of old age. Remember your Creator in your youth and serve him with gladness of heart. Be zealous for His glory while you are still young and your old age will have many delights.
If it is your will now that you have seen the error of your own heart or you are now more determined to serve the Lord with all of your strength while you are still full of life, then pray to the Lord this prayer:
Jesus, My sweet saviour, to thee I commit my life and soul and strength. I am young and the years awaits me, I will not tarry in sin or spend my years in the passing pleasures of sin but I will delight in you and will spend my years in serving you. I plea with you that you endow me with your Spirit, that I may live a fullness of life that serves to Glorify you. I will remember you in my youth. In Jesus precious name. Amen
K.Oni
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