09/23/2020
We are given life in seasons, and as we go through them our bodies grow to maturity, then are diminished, and our energy is abated, but our spirit grows and is encouraged within us; ever strengthening. How wonderful it is to dedicate the years of our youth to the Lord, and to follow after our faith with strong legs, and sharp eyes. Our lives are like the tide that rushes in, and swells to reach its peak, only to recede once again, until it has gone completely out.
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;”
Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV
In our youth we run with reckless abandon, and wander the streets and surrounding pastures without fear, or a care to be found. Then, as we become young men and women we start to feel the calling of the world. We are tempted by wealth, and the allure of our sexual awakening. The money, with the sins it allows us to purchase, and our sexual longings, that can give us great pleasure, become, at the same moment, our most irresistible temptations, our focus, and the misguided treasures in life.
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
James 1:14-15 ESV
So to resist these sins while they are still in their infancy, and to overcome them, even while they are seeking to devour us as they rise to consume us at the height of our virility and muliebrity, we should remember our creator, and dwell on the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
1 John 5:4-5 ESV
Then we approach our latter years, with our eyes beginning to dim, and our gait faltering. We find that the men and women we once were have now succumbed to the ravages of time, and that what is left behind are those things that we deemed to be treasures during our youth, and which have become engrained in us during our years of awakening, and growth. What we allowed to germinate in us at that time, during our early years, has reached full height, and produced its fruit, in our maturity. The importance of knowing God in our childhood becomes apparent to us, and our faith our cherished treasure.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:9-11 ESV
But even though it is best to accept God as your Lord, and Jesus as your savior while we are early in our lives, while our ways are not set, and our treasure is yet to be determined, there is never a wrong time to do so. Even as we take our last breath, and find ourselves nailed to our cross, we can look at Jesus there beside us and know that we are not lost. His forgiveness is complete in that moment, and in that final breath He will come to abide in us. Yet, O, the years that could have been spent with Him, the lessons that could have become our treasure, and the fruit that could have been borne upon our branches.
“For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV
So as parents, we should raise our children to know God, and as young people, we shouldn’t neglect to answer the door when Jesus knocks. Sin has its price, and it takes its toll on our bodies, and on the generations to come through our example. Our life complete in Christ, can be the difference between eternity and death to our spouse, children, and all those who surround us. We mustn’t hesitate to commit ourselves to the Lord, because what is planted today as a seed of faith, will be our greatest treasure in latter years.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the seasons of our life on earth, and thank you for sending your Son Jesus to walk through them as an example to us of how you want us to live them. Help us Lord to receive you at our door, and to welcome you into our hearts while we are yet in our youth. Help us Holy Father to worship you in these early years so that we might serve you mightily, and bear abundant harvest of faith as we grow old; thus becoming wise in your Word, and leaving a spiritual inheritance to our children. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who desires that the children be encouraged to come to you. Praised be your name for every child’s prayer, and for the resisted temptation of every young man and woman. Merciful are you for your Holy Spirit who guides us, and brings your Word to our remembrance at the perfect moments in life. Amazing are you in grace as you look at us on our cross, and forgive us our sins... even when we have waited to that final moment to accept you as Lord. Father, help us as parents to bring our children to you; give us the courage to approach the young in our midst with your Word, and the message of salvation. Hear our prayers of contrition, and our pleas for your forgiveness Father, and have mercy on us... even in our final breath, but Let it be your will, and our desire, that we give ourselves to you in our youth so that we can serve you fully, and our judgment be sweeter yet in its pronouncement.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Psalm 127:3 ESV
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
Proverbs 17:6 ESV
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
3 John 1:4 ESV
Rich Forbes