When a
Young Person Grows Old
Unless thwarted by the Lord's return, or an "untimely"
death, all young people will eventually grow old. Regardless of how many creams
and rinses are used, the aging process takes its toll on most members of the
human family. Aging is an irreversible part of life, for if you live at all,
you get older. The curse of our generation is an inordinate preoccupation with
youth. No one wants to be old. At least, no one wants to look old. People do
not mind feeling old as much as they detest looking old. But while the human
family may take such a grim view of aging, the Bible does not so regard the
aged. In fact, a special and significant honor is bestowed on the "hoary
head" (Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31). God enjoins us to "rise
before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man." And
"a silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of
righteousness."
When a young man grows old, there are some definite changes which
take place. Solomon gives a detailed description of the aging process in Ecclesiastes
12:1-7. Old age is called the "difficult days" in verse one. These
days of difficulty are brought through hampering physical maladies which make
it hard to really enjoy living. When our hands are racked with arthritis; the
legs cease to carry our weight; our teeth are few and brittle; and our eyes
grow dim, it is a "difficult" day indeed (verse 3). Even worse, the
slightest of noises awakens us and robs our tired bodies of needed rest. Our
ability to make melody with a clear, strong voice is gone (verse 4). And we are
now frightened easily by heights and are more prone to worry about the dangers
in our path. Our physical strength wanes, and even the weight of a "grasshopper"
is a burden too heavy (verse 5). In the difficult days of old age, the "silver
cord" (nerves / spinal cord) is loosened and the "golden bowl"
(brain) is broken, and senility takes hold. The heart and circulatory system is
"shattered" and "broken" and death is not far
behind (verses 6 and 7). A more complete and graphic description of what
happens when a young man grows old has never been penned! But Solomon was not
writing to an old man about something he was already experiencing in his aging
body. There would be little value in telling an old man that his dusty frame
was returning to the earth. He would know this without being told, being in the
midst of the process himself. Solomon addresses the young who are not yet to
this point of life. He said to the young, "Remember now your Creator
in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw
near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them'."
Solomon addresses the young man before he wastes the precious time
of his youth on frivolity. He is hoping that the young man will listen to
wisdom and do something constructive with his days of brightness and strength.
Solomon urges that the young "remember" the Creator, but this
involves more than a mere mental recall of God. Consider what God did when He
remembered Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19). God did something for her. He gave her a
son. Likewise, the young are to remember God by serving Him with the strength
and vitality of their youth. This will also keep the young man from looking
back on his youth with regret, as he remembers how he forgot God and wasted his
time with vanities.
To be sure, it does not miraculously become easier to serve God as
we get older. In fact, there is no time in life when worldly things
automatically lose their appeal. Solomon advises that we get ourselves on
target early in life. He labors to get us to see that it is ridiculous to put
off commitment to God until later in life. While we may think the young deserve
a chance to have their fling with life and settle down to spiritual things
later, Solomon teaches just the opposite. In fact, age may work against us in
our struggle to shun the world and obey God. And when we look back on a youth
misspent — what a sad, empty, haunting gaze it will be.
- by Mark
White
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