Remember your Creator in the days of your youth

Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon, the wise king. Yes, the wisest man Solomon had it all and lived a long life overflowing with money, power, fame, and many women. But even when he had those things, he not only called them worldly and useless but also lamented that all these still did not satisfy him. It was all vanity like "striving or chasing after wind". Without God, life is indeed meaningless and so the wisest man Solomon rightly concludes in Ecclesiastes 12: 1, “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth”. Youth is an important phase of life when values are based on a foundation that will be firmed up. Just like the foundation of our house, if we establish an early and good found­ation based on a relationship with God, we will have a stronger foundation to face the storms of life. As young people, it is always tempting to lay worldly foundations but we need to heed the wisdom and advice of King Solomon. “Remember you Creator in the days of your youth” reminds us that we were designed by the divine hands of our Creator. We didn’t evolve from apes or lower life forms as "scientific theories" as you were made to believe. But more importantly, the verse reminds us to remember God in all the areas of life. We must remember Him daily in our quiet time and prayer. Start the day right with God. Remember Him when you are faced with temptations. "Flee also youthful lusts" (2 Tim 2:22). Remember God in all your everyday decisions. Choose godly and good friends over the worldly or evil friends. Bad company corrupts good character. Remember Him in deciding whom you are going to marry. Do not be unequally yoked with a non-Christian. It is completely against God’s will and will never lead to blessedness. We must remember Him while choosing your studies or occupation. Do not study or work just to earn big while putting God second in this process. But rather honor the Sabbath day and serve Him on the Lord’s Day. Give priority to God and His work.

Remember Him by getting involved in the Youth ministry of the Church. The youth fellowship ministry is there for us. It is an exciting place for learning the Word of God, to fellowship, to grow spiritually, to serve and to grow up to be responsible believers in the Lord. We thank God for our youth worker Bro Zhi Wei and his team’s fervent sprit to serve God. The Lord has blessed the Moriah Youth Fellowship over the years with many members and participants. To continue this growth, may I urge all the teens, youths and young adults to participate and be part of the Fellowship ministries like TF or YF or YAF. So, have you registered yourself and your friend for this year youth Camp “ALIVE”? (19th to 23rd December 2011, Aranda Country Club, Cost: only $65). Gentle reminder, registration for the camp opens on 12 November 2011 and there is still time. Parents, it is also important that you too take keen interest in encouraging your children to attend these fellowships. Time and age is irreversible, cultivate your children to remember the creator from the days of their youth.

God also wants us to be exemplary to our friends and parents. Instead of adults looking down on teenagers and despising the folly of adolescence, Paul tells Timothy to set good examples in 1 Tim 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” Believe, love, obey and serve your Creator and Savior from the days of your youth. Those who do so will find a reservoir of godly counsel to guide them around the pitfalls of bad choices and give them joy in life. Whereas those who don’t, will inevitably fall victim to the sinful temptations of youth and bear the painful consequences of foolish actions throughout their life. As Youths, are you going to remember Him? Our Creator as He Our Redeemer remembers us? Remember your Creator, for this is deeply fulfilling and eternally rewarding.

In Christ Only,

Pastor Mathews