Youth - The best time to serve God

Eccl. 12:1 “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…”

This scripture is an exhortation to remember God in one’s youth when he is full of strength and not to wait till old age and its challenges.  

 Now - means that you are most able to do it at present and it will be most acceptable to God, and most comfortable to you.

Evil days- means the time of old age, which is at times burdensome, full of aging problems and far more grievous especially when it is loaded with the sad remembrance of youthful follies and failures.

No pleasure- The pressures of old age could be bitter and burdensome. It’s a time of loss of interest in certain things that could make one to say “I have no pleasure in them”

Youth is the time of life when one is young. It is a time when an individual is full of strength and vigor. No wonder King Solomon advised us to serve God in our youth.

It is not true that the youth cannot live holy and pure life. The youth can live a holy and pure life if he chooses to do so. It is a matter of choice and decision. Bible characters like Timothy, Titus and John Mark to mention a few were in the ministry in their youth. Mary became the mother of Jesus in her youth. She was a virgin and was described as highly favored among women because she kept herself pure. Therefore she was qualified to be the mother of the Son of God.

Today, one expects our youth to emulate those Bible characters instead of indulging in illicit activities that do not promote the Kingdom of God. We are in the world but not of the world.

Jesus said “… if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”  John 12:26