Introduction. As we watch sand flowing through an hourglass and witness its journey from top to bottom, it appears in the beginning that it will take far longer than an hour. As the seconds pass, the sand seems to barely rise. But if we go away for a few minutes and then return to see the progress, we are surprised to see how much sand has accumulated in the bottom. Life is just like that hourglass. In youth as life passes day to day, it initially feels like we will live forever. Yet as the years pass, we begin to realize that life is flowing far more quickly than we realized.
The epochs in the life of youth are a series of exciting and life-changing firsts. We learned to walk and talk, then later to read and write. Each year we gained strength as our body grew in wisdom and stature. We made new friends, tried new sports, and learned new things. We looked forward to high school, to getting our driver’s license, a first date, then graduation, college, the starting of a career, getting married and having children. During those days God kept us busy and we were content.
The epochs in the life of youth are a series of exciting and life-changing firsts. We learned to walk and talk, then later to read and write. Each year we gained strength as our body grew in wisdom and stature. We made new friends, tried new sports, and learned new things. We looked forward to high school, to getting our driver’s license, a first date, then graduation, college, the starting of a career, getting married and having children. During those days God kept us busy and we were content.
- For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart. (Eccl. 5:20)
As the sands of the hourglass, the movement of time seemed slow and imperceptible, yet as we passed each stage, we moved from adolescence and into becoming an adult. This was a very special time in our life. When the material creation was new and exciting. God wanted us to pursue and enjoy the things that were important to us. Yet all through the time of our youth, God warned us to keep the coming judgment in the forefront of our minds, affecting and impacting every decision we made.
While many ignored this warning, the realization that the judgment of God could come upon us at any moment slowly grew. A friend, family member or someone we knew died and God’s words of warning that “it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, judgment,” became ever stronger as we grew to “remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.” These words protected those who heeded them from the terrible sins that have destroyed so many.
Suddenly, sometime in our 30's to 40's, it crashes down upon us that our youth is gone. Just like the hourglass, a large portion of our life has passed by. Now, if we have faith and wisdom, our perspective begins to change. From that time, we no longer look at our life as a series of firsts, but as a time to remember those firsts. Birthdays, anniversaries, and memories of the past become far more important and the future which was filled with anticipation and excitement in youth now begins to become a time for loss and uncertainty as we slowly reach our middle age.
This is the time of life where regret and a sense of mortality begin. Some even enter a period of “midlife crisis.” What might have been with different decisions brings pangs of sorrow and remorse: things we learned too late, time we wasted on unimportant things, and mistakes that were made. Worst of all, we may deeply regret the evil companions of our youth who had led us to open doors into sin where evil habits were created. We seek forgiveness and mercy while we struggle to remove them.
Then, as our children leave home and our bodies begin to show age, we enter a new stage of firsts far different than the ones in our youth. These include our first grey hair, facial wrinkles, glasses, and first signs of a health problem that will plague us as we enter the final dark days of life. We begin to suffer the loss of those we love: our grandparents, then parents, friends and co-workers. The end of our life draws ever nearer.
At each of these stages, God hopes for our return. This sin cursed world is no longer designed to be an eternal home. While the beauty of God’s original creation still shines through, after the curse it is only a hollow shell of what God had created “very good.” Now, no matter how hard we try we cannot straighten what is crooked or fill what is lacking. (Eccl. 1:14-15).
Through all the blessings and adversities of life, God offers the wisdom and counsel to prepare for the new heavens and new earth. He seeks our submission and obedience for our good always. If we can gain this in our youth, we will avoid much of the turmoil described above. God gives the knowledge and wisdom to understand why such adversities are occurring along with what we can do to avoid them and prepare for eternity. Paul worded it perfectly. An internal shift must occur as our body ages and shows signs of the coming end. Our inner eternal soul must become our focus. We can enter a time even more amazing than our youth. All the things we saw in our youth that have dimmed with age can be replaced with precious and exceeding great promises wonderful of a new body and home.
These are the blessings given to those who remember their Creator in the days of their youth by obeying the gospel early in life. Starting this journey early in life offers the wisdom and insight that walking by faith brings. But regardless of when the gospel enters our life, we can begin to run our race into eternity to gain the imperishable crown of glory, righteousness and life (1Cor. 9:25; 2Tim. 4:8; Jas. 1:12). This amazing door of opportunity opens to all who trust in the warnings and promises of God. We begin to see our lives in the context of eternity and make preparations.
As we gain this wisdom to know our end, (Ps. 39:4-6), we can let go of the temporary and begin to cling to the eternal. We can accept what this life brings and prepare for the eternal life beyond. Each stage of life will bring us ever closer to the day we meet God when He will assess and judge our life. Since our lives here are not eternal, we must learn to number our days and gain a heart of wisdom to live our lives in God’s creation with gratitude, respect and submission.
Conclusion. For some reading this, most of our life is now in the past. While we can’t change the past, it is not too late to feel the godly sorry leading to repentance (2Cor 7:10) and the opportunity to return and be forgiven (Mk. 16:15-16). Others may be in our middle age with many regrets, but with time to make changes leading to memories far more pleasant. Those who can be most blessed are still in their youth. They can remember their Creator in the days of their youth, walking in wisdom and heeding His counsel and laws.
- 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 in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. (Eccl. 11:9).
While many ignored this warning, the realization that the judgment of God could come upon us at any moment slowly grew. A friend, family member or someone we knew died and God’s words of warning that “it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, judgment,” became ever stronger as we grew to “remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.” These words protected those who heeded them from the terrible sins that have destroyed so many.
Suddenly, sometime in our 30's to 40's, it crashes down upon us that our youth is gone. Just like the hourglass, a large portion of our life has passed by. Now, if we have faith and wisdom, our perspective begins to change. From that time, we no longer look at our life as a series of firsts, but as a time to remember those firsts. Birthdays, anniversaries, and memories of the past become far more important and the future which was filled with anticipation and excitement in youth now begins to become a time for loss and uncertainty as we slowly reach our middle age.
This is the time of life where regret and a sense of mortality begin. Some even enter a period of “midlife crisis.” What might have been with different decisions brings pangs of sorrow and remorse: things we learned too late, time we wasted on unimportant things, and mistakes that were made. Worst of all, we may deeply regret the evil companions of our youth who had led us to open doors into sin where evil habits were created. We seek forgiveness and mercy while we struggle to remove them.
- Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness' sake, O Lord. (Ps. 25:7)
Then, as our children leave home and our bodies begin to show age, we enter a new stage of firsts far different than the ones in our youth. These include our first grey hair, facial wrinkles, glasses, and first signs of a health problem that will plague us as we enter the final dark days of life. We begin to suffer the loss of those we love: our grandparents, then parents, friends and co-workers. The end of our life draws ever nearer.
- To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; ... 5 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; (Eccl. 3:1-2)
At each of these stages, God hopes for our return. This sin cursed world is no longer designed to be an eternal home. While the beauty of God’s original creation still shines through, after the curse it is only a hollow shell of what God had created “very good.” Now, no matter how hard we try we cannot straighten what is crooked or fill what is lacking. (Eccl. 1:14-15).
- I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
Through all the blessings and adversities of life, God offers the wisdom and counsel to prepare for the new heavens and new earth. He seeks our submission and obedience for our good always. If we can gain this in our youth, we will avoid much of the turmoil described above. God gives the knowledge and wisdom to understand why such adversities are occurring along with what we can do to avoid them and prepare for eternity. Paul worded it perfectly. An internal shift must occur as our body ages and shows signs of the coming end. Our inner eternal soul must become our focus. We can enter a time even more amazing than our youth. All the things we saw in our youth that have dimmed with age can be replaced with precious and exceeding great promises wonderful of a new body and home.
- though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ... 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Cor. 4:16-18)
These are the blessings given to those who remember their Creator in the days of their youth by obeying the gospel early in life. Starting this journey early in life offers the wisdom and insight that walking by faith brings. But regardless of when the gospel enters our life, we can begin to run our race into eternity to gain the imperishable crown of glory, righteousness and life (1Cor. 9:25; 2Tim. 4:8; Jas. 1:12). This amazing door of opportunity opens to all who trust in the warnings and promises of God. We begin to see our lives in the context of eternity and make preparations.
- LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. 5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. 6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
As we gain this wisdom to know our end, (Ps. 39:4-6), we can let go of the temporary and begin to cling to the eternal. We can accept what this life brings and prepare for the eternal life beyond. Each stage of life will bring us ever closer to the day we meet God when He will assess and judge our life. Since our lives here are not eternal, we must learn to number our days and gain a heart of wisdom to live our lives in God’s creation with gratitude, respect and submission.
- We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. ...12 So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps. 90:10-12)
Conclusion. For some reading this, most of our life is now in the past. While we can’t change the past, it is not too late to feel the godly sorry leading to repentance (2Cor 7:10) and the opportunity to return and be forgiven (Mk. 16:15-16). Others may be in our middle age with many regrets, but with time to make changes leading to memories far more pleasant. Those who can be most blessed are still in their youth. They can remember their Creator in the days of their youth, walking in wisdom and heeding His counsel and laws.
- And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Rom. 13:11-13).
- 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": ... 5 And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. 6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. 7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it. ...13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. (Eccl. 12:5-13)