Message to youths

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, 12:1

⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.
¹⁰ So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the troubles of your body,
for youth and vigor are meaningless.

¹Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—

(Message)

These verses were written for youths.

Youths tend to follow the ways of their heart and whatever their eyes see, as shown in v9a.

But, the command to be happy (9a) does not mean an endorsement of sinful life.

What youths do not know or experience yet is “God will bring you into judgement for all these things” (9b).

As growing old, people know or experience the reality that God exists and judges.

And, the warning of God’s judgement (9b) does not mean an objection to a happy life.

Then, how to be happy and away from judgement?

Let us read Ecclesiastes 12:1.

¹Remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
and the years approach when you will say,
“I find no pleasure in them”—

Youths who remember their Creator will make a difference as they grow old.

Those who fear God will lead wise life (Proverbs 9:10).

For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life. (Proverbs 9:11)

The righteous will stay fresh and green in old age (Psalm 92:14).

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31a).

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
(Isaiah 40:30 – 31)