by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2011
Posted 1/28/11

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

This imperative is for all who still have, to their pleasure, any degree of youth - for with youth is opportunity. It is a plea for the moment, right now, while there is still time. It is an urgent call to all of us to prepare a place, in our hearts, for God. A call to recognize the reason for our existence, which is to know God and to walk with him in truth. It is a call to preparedness for those future days when we shall most desperately need God, and for the day that we shall ultimately meet our God to give an account for our lives. Whether we realize it or not, we all have the need for more of him in our lives. Our great need for more of God never lessens. Regardless of our present condition, the conclusion of the matter is always that we need more and more of him. Remember now thy Creator!

HE REMEMBERS US

Though God is often forgotten by man, He has not forgotten us. The faithful sovereign Lord has given us his grace and filled the earth with his goodness. He has shown himself to us and has given us the truth - the revelation of his word. He has furnished a table and bids all to come and sup with him. He has removed all of the barriers between us and him and has opened to us a door of hope, in the person of Jesus Christ. What more could he do for us than he has already done?

REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Remember now, Him who created the heavens and the earth. Remember now, Him who formed you in the womb and gave you the breath of life. Remember now, the all knowing one who hears and sees. Remember now, Him who opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. Remember now, Him who gives peace that passes understanding. Remember now, Him who abounds with unsearchable riches of grace. Remember now, Him whose mercy endures forever. Remember now, Him who, for you, endured the passion of Gethsemane and the cruel scourging of the cat o nine tail. Remember now, Him who suffered alone in your stead on Golgotha’s cross. Remember now, Him who purchased our redemption with his own blood.

Remember now thy Creator who desires to be your friend, Redeemer, and Lord!

To remember God is to honor him. Those who honor God will themselves be honored. (1 Samuel 2:30) To remember God is to receive grace to love him, and seek after him with the whole heart. “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” ( Matthew 22:37) We can love God because he has first loved us (1 John 4:10) (Revelation 2:4). We will not remember God, if we leave or fail to realize his "first love" for us.

THE DAYS OF OUR YOUTH

The days of our youth afford us many options. There are many alternatives to a close walk with God. The "gods" of this world are competing for our hearts. The siren’s song of success, wealth, power, prestige, and pleasure are calling to our affections. We have enemies from within and without that are hostile toward our original created purpose: intimate personal relationship with God. It is so important in the days of our youth, to choose our priorities well. Wisdom is calling to those who have an ear to hear. Heed wisdom's cry. Embrace the eternal value system, now, which promises blessings not only for this life, but the one to come.

In Genesis chapter 5, the Bible states that Enoch “walked with God” (in habitual fellowship). So unique was his fellowship with God that the Bible says that “God took him”. Enoch never experienced a physical death but in this rare sovereign instance, God took him bodily into heaven to be with him - a type of the future rapture of the church. God's called and chosen people are such a rare and peculiar treasure in this dark world. God takes great pleasure in them. By grace, through faith, and with reverence they enjoy relationship with God.

WITHOUT GOD

The word “unbeliever” really means one who does not trust in or depend upon God. Secularism is the default setting for many in this world. Many people think, speak, make decisions, and live life “without God.” God has revealed himself through his word and through the things that he has made. His Spirit speaks also, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. In spite of all this, the unbelieving world refuses the "fear of the Lord." God is not in all of their thoughts. They do not like to retain God in their knowledge, and so, God gives them over to a darkened foolish heart and a reprobate mind. God is an ever present help and wants to give grace to lift men out of their depravity. Yet men, in their pride, resist him and turn from him. Many live as though life will never end, as if life is without consequence. They allow no place for God. They live without any reverence for God or respect for his ways in practical daily living. They foolishly persist in this spiritually self destructive mind set to their own hurt.

Many believe that they are doing well so long as they live good, moral, and respectable lives. They fail to understand that life is all about relationship with God. Doing what is right “without God" is a self righteousness that denies God his preeminence. Self righteousness then, is a deceitful sin. The moral man who is “without God” is just as much a son of perdition as the lawless sinner. What good is his morality if he is not in union with his maker? Life is first and foremost about oneness between God and the creature. This is what God has purposed and desired from the beginning. God is in love with man whom he has created. God desires to have the hearts of men, and will settle for nothing less. Life is not about human independence, as the secularist prefers. To the contrary, It is about dependence. It is about knowing God, and walking with him in his light and in the power of his all sufficient grace.

PREPAREDNESS

“prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12b)

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew chapter 25 teaches the principal of preparedness. In anticipation of the wedding celebration, the wise virgins made careful preparation to bring enough oil for their lamps. The foolish virgins took no oil for their lamps. At midnight there was a cry made, “Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him!" The foolish virgins said to the wise, “give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out”. But the wise answered, “go to them that sell and buy for yourselves.” And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward the foolish virgins came saying, “Lord, Lord open to us”

“But he answered and said, verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

The wise virgins are a picture of those who seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Those who recognized the importance of the eternal value system over and above that which is passing away, in the here and now. They received, from God, "the love of the truth." They bought for themselves oil - they invested in the spiritual and were prepared for both time and eternity.

Buy oil for yourself, NOW.

Seek the Lord while he may be found.

Hear and receive the word of God.

Prepare to meet thy God.

Remember NOW thy creator in the days of thy youth!

"Everyone who comes to me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon a rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it. because it had been well built.

But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:47-49 nasv)

THE "EVIL" DAY'S

The “evil” days come! Sooner or later we must all face them. These are the dark and difficult days of trouble. I have seen people in great distress when their evil days come. These are they who are unprepared, who have bought no oil for themselves in the days of their youth - the days of their opportunity. They did not seek God while he could be found, they did not invest in the eternal value system. As unwise investors, they made ALL of their investments in the temporal value system alone. They would not heed nor listen to God's prophets. God’s word was lightly esteemed and even despised, and they would have none of his counsel. Instead, they took counsel from within their own soul. In the day of trouble, their soul is like a dry well without divine provision. Saddest of all, they are without God himself. They are without the One who gives his peace and assurance that garrisons the heart. In the evil day, their fear comes suddenly, and they are without remedy.

“Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:31-32)

Even if this describes your condition, it is God's desire that you would turn to him, even NOW, and let him graciously restore to you the years that have been lost to indifference. With God, all things are possible! He is plenteous in mercy, and he will be merciful to you. His mercy endures forever to them that will receive it. He is the Good Shepherd. In a new and living way, you can take his yoke upon you and learn of him and find rest for your soul.

PEACE IN KNOWING HIM

"And the peace of God, Which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Oh, to know God and to know his peace! God has promised to keep the mind that is stayed upon him in perfect peace. Not just peace, but a peace that is perfect because it is the peace of God. Not our own peace, or a false peace but a supernatural peace that is sourced in God and is given to us by his Spirit. We may fail to receive it many times, but it is always available to those who are mindful of him.

The kind words of the Prince of Peace, deeply quiets troubled hearts:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

When the changing seasons of our life bring uncertainty or trouble, there is no greater commodity than the genuine peace of God. The peace that the world offers will fail us when we need it most. All of the things we once held dear will let us down. It is only intimate fellowship with the "God of all comfort" that will strengthen and keep us. The years when we will most desperately need him are drawing nigh, the twilight years of our old age. In those years, when our strength fails us and our security seems uncertain, we can have peace in knowing Him. God is faithful! Underneath us are his everlasting arms! The Almighty will carry and deliver those who know him and trust in him. For the latter years of our journey through this life, we have this beautiful promise...

“Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear: yes, I will carry and will save you.” (Isaiah 46:4)

What a glorious expectation is laid up in faithfulness for all who choose to Remember Now.

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