“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when you shall say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’.”
Ecclesiastes 12:1
How important it is for one to give his life to Christ while young; but, never forget “It’s better late than never” when it comes to matters of Eternity.
Seasonal.
That’s the way Solomon described our lives here on earth: “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Eccl. 3:1) And he went on to say “There’s a time to be born and a time to die. . .a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted . . . a time to kill and a time to heal… a time to break down (raze) and a time to build up (raise) . . .a time to weep and a time to laugh. . .a time to mourn and a time to dance. . .a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. . a time to gain and a time to lose. . .a time to keep and a time to cast away. . .a time to tear and a time to sew. . .a time to keep silence and a time to speak. . .a time to love and a time to hate. . .a time of war and a time of peace” (Eccl. 3:2-8).
So, we know our childhood and adolescent years are basically the Springtimes of our lives. Likewise, we know our 20s-40s are the Summers and the 50s-70s are the Fall, while our 70s and beyond are the Winters of life.
Sadly, so many “in the days of their youth” are more concerned about the world’s gold than they are God’s Glory. They pursue the “lusts of the flesh, eyes and pride of life” (I Jn. 2:16) at the expense of their souls. Then, with many a regret, they look back on their lives and say “I have no pleasure in them.” Their theme song is that old Gospel hymn, “Wasted years, wasted years, oh how foolish.”
But, again, dear Pilgrim, there’s never a wrong time to trust the Lord. There’s never a bad time to humbly “come to ourselves, arise and go to the Father” (Lk. 15:17-19). The road Home may seem long and steep, but the Father always sees the penitent heart and “runs to meet us, has compassion upon us, gives us a Holy Hug and Kiss and says ‘Welcome Home! This, my child, was dead and is alive again; he was lost, but now is found’!” (Lk. 15:20, 24).
Aren’t you glad? Hallelujah!!
Yes, if God could make a “valley of dry bones live again” (Ez. 37:1-14), he can take a life that’s ravaged by sin and transform it by His Grace and Mercy into something beautiful. The key is surrender and allowing Him to be “Lord of all.”
There’s no need for us to fear getting older and seemingly less usable or desirable to the Lord. Never forget that Abraham was 75-years-old when God called him to “go out without knowing where he was going” (Gen. 12:1-4; Heb. 11:8). Moses was 80-years-old when he led the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery toward the Promised Land. Simeon was well advanced in years when he held the Christ-Child in his arms and said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word—for my eyes have seen Your Salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people” (Lk. 2:29-31). Always remember the Lord, Pilgrim—both now and forever—for He’ll never forget you (Is. 49:15-16).
July 30, 2011
