Whether Young or Old

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12; Psalm 73, 88

Abbreviated Reading: Ecclesiastes 12

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1

Ahh – youth! The energy and zeal wound tight in youth is wonderful. But it fades such that one day you wake up and wonder what it was like to be young. That was Solomon’s sentiment in today’s reading. He recounts the joy of youth - when experience had not yet produced the pain that gives life pause - when he had the excitement and energy to do whatever his heart and mind dreamed.

It takes a lot of energy to run the race that the Lord is calling us to run until the end. So Solomon’s advice is good - lay a good foundation and do much of the work while you are young and while you have the energy.

The Apostle Paul encouraged his young disciple Timothy in this same way.

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

Today, if you’re young – great! Sow good seed now, while you’re young and full of energy that you might reap good fruit tomorrow.

If you’re not young – that’s okay too. God says that it’s the gray hair that is a crown of glory (Prov. 16:31), to be honored. Look back and draw strength from what the Lord has already accomplished in your life.  

If you’re mature in age, but new in the Lord, then you’re still young in Him so use that energy to sow good seed and that zeal will turn to wisdom (Job 12:12).

Whether young or old in years, you are younger today than you will be tomorrow. So keep seeking the Lord, keep reading His Word cover to cover and you will find He is wisdom for the young, strength for the old, stability for the weak and our everlasting JOY.

by Sharon Kaselonis / All rights reserved ©