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Ecclesiates 12 continues

The answer of life as to what we should do knowing that death is coming, maybe pre-
maturely, and our strength and beauty will fail is to remember God. Solomon com-

mands that He, our Creator, be remembered in the days of our youth. There are many
reasons why, but the primary reason is described in detail in the succeeding verses.
Verses 2-7 give perhaps one of the most vivid descriptions of the physical sorrows of
old age. The keepers of the house shall tremble - nervous system breaks down. Strong
men shall bow themselves - hunch over in later years. Grinders shall cease - teeth

begin to fall out. Those that look out of the windows shall be darkened - eyesight
begins to fail. Doors are shut with the sound of the grinding being low - hearing begins
to fail. Rise at the sound of the bird - sleep becomes restless. Be afraid of that which

is high with fear being in the way - become nervous and scared of even life's smallest
things. Almond tree shall flourish - hair turns gray. Grasshopper shall be a burden -
strength begins to fail. Man goeth to his long sought home and the mourners go about
in the street - we die and have a funeral service. Silver cord is loosed, golden bowl
broken, pitcher broken at the fountain, and wheel at the cistern - spinal cord weakens,

mind fails, loss of bladder and organ control.

While all of that is not a pretty picture or pleasant to consider, what advantage is there

of youth? The youth does not have the physical ailments such as these to impede his
service to God. By keeping the Creator in mind while young there is a vast well of
physical reserve to serve God without impediment. This does not let the aged "off the
hook" as it were, but it should certainly be a bold encouragement to the young not to
wait on God's service but actively engage to the best of our abilities and the fulness of

talents that He has given.

Another good reason to remember Him while young is that habits in youth follow us

when older. Solomon encouraged parents to bring their children up in the right way so
that their later years would be marked by this good habit of Godly living. (Proverbs
22:6) It is a wonderful habit to form that church service is not an optional activity.
When I was a boy, I never woke up on Sunday morning and said, "I wonder if we're
going to church today."

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