Of Young and Old Men

Solomon composed the book of Ecclesiastes as an old man looking back in repentance upon the foolishness of his own youth. He observes that as young men become old men in the natural course of life they all face the same challenges as to how they will acquit themselves before a holy God.

In the time of youth it is appropriate to rejoice in that youth giving praise to the Creator. Energy should be spent in gaining skills, experience and cultivating godliness knowing that the Lord will bring all things into judgment. It is a good thing to pursue the desires and visions of youth when the heart of youth is given over to pleasing God. Pleasing God in one's youth involves a constant practice of putting off and removing evil and vexation from the heart. Guilt and vexation must of course be removed by the grace of Christ. The pains and discomforts of time will come to all who continue to live, but a youth spent in repentant obedience to the Lord will become a wellspring of wisdom and comfort in the dark days of old-age.