“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth”

If there was a man on earth who probably knew what was to have fun this man was King Solomon. Let us make a quick review of his life. The Bible does not tell us much about his infancy but it does tell us that Solomon was David’s son. This information is enough to conclude that He was born and raised among the royalty of Israel. He probably had the best teachers possible. He had the best clothing a boy his age could have, the coolest cloaks available and the best shoes. He probably had the best toys and maybe even got the play with the sling David used to kill Goliath. Solomon grew and became the most wise king on earth, and even though all this excitement which was present in his life, his conclusion (especially for you young boy and girl) is that there old age will come and the most important thing to do now is to remember God.

Now, how are you to remember God? In the next verses, and in a very poetic way, Solomon will give you many hints. He first speaks of the day when the heavenly bodies will not give their lights anymore (verse 2). It seems that he is referring to the moment in our lives when our sight will not function so well. And mindful of that, you must be worried about the way you use your eyes today. What have you been looking at? What kind of websites are you visiting when you surf in the internet? Do you respect the age limits of T.V. programs and of video games? These are all ways of keeping your eyes from evil and of using this sense in a way mindful of your God.

He next speaks of the keepers of the house trembling and of a strong man being bent (verse 3). It seems that Solomon was worried about the way we use our bodies and even our strength. And what an important preoccupation is that in our days! When we employ the strength of our legs and arms for our own pleasure (to run around and play with our brother and friends) but we are lazy when it comes to help others, to do our chores at home, to help cleaning the church building we use to worship every Sunday. It is also important, particularly for you young ladies, when it comes to the use of your body. Among a society that worships sensuality are you being careful with the clothes you wear and looking for modes apparel to buy?

Another ability Solomon seems to consider very important in the youth is the hearing. He writes about “when the sound of the grinding is low” which leads us to think of what have been hearing while you are young. With so much contemporary Christian music being produced, are being careful with the content of the lyrics? And while exercising your Christian liberty and listening to non-Christian music, are you even more careful with the content of the songs? Or are too light and not worried about these things at all? Remember, you are called to remember your God even in the use of ears. This also involves the content of conversations that you have been listening among friends. Do they honor your commitment with your God to remember Him all moments of your life?

Therefore, my young brother and sister in Christ, you may not be as rich, powerful and important as was King Solomon in his youth. But the Lord of Heaven, your Father, did not call you to be all these different things, but he certainly calls you to remember Him now, in your youth, and to be faithful to Him while you are young.