The Wisest Friend of Youth Gives the Best Advice

Youth is an interesting time of life. It has its own peculiar problems. Many an old man has looked wistfully back and said: “If I were young again, I would do this, or I would take that course.” Many there are who regret the course which they pursued in their youth. If any has regret concerning his youth, that is not God’s fault. God has told us how we are to spend our youth. If men will not take this advice, they have only themselves to blame for the evil which follows.

The devil paints God as the enemy of youth. In Paradise. At Jesus’ temptation. And so today Satan would persuade the young that God begrudges them their happiness. That God is a sad Spirit, that in God’s company we must be distressed, sad and miserable; or he would persuade them that youth is the time which permits everything, that it is for them to drink deep from every thing the world has to offer, that no one should give them direction, no one limit them, no one teach them, that they are to do just as they please. But all this is false. God says in His Word: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth.” That includes young women.

He has said: “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). Indeed, God has provided joys for every time of life, so that in each stage of it we may rejoice in His blessings. At the wedding of Cana He made wine. To Abraham He gave a son and an heir; to David He gave riches and honor; to Solomon He gave long life, riches, and honor, and wisdom above the measure of that which is usually given to men. We are told that Jacob gave to his son Joseph a coat of many colors. Listen to God’s holy testimony: “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”

Luther, the great Reformer, entered a cloister and groaned out his youth days in the gloomy atmosphere of the wailing, moaning, cringing, wretched, starving life of a miserable beggar monk. Again and again he refers to this part of his life and regrets that he was compelled to spend his beautiful youth among such surroundings and in such wretchedness.

But God is the Fountain of all blessings. He has given you all the good creatures and benefits that you see about you. More than that. He has given you His precious Word and Gospel. And the greatest joy might be to receive His grace, and the revelation of His own goodness, kindness and love in His Word. “Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men” (Ps. 34:4).

The words: “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth,” are stated in Ecclesiastes 11:9. But then follows: “and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes.”

There is certainly no asceticism in the teaching of this part of the text. On the other hand, there is no commendation of worldIiness and voluptuousness. Human nature is prone to extremes; and we adults are also not always successful in avoiding them. In dealing with the young it is especially important to avoid warring with their innocent pleasures. We have to learn to check any inclination to unlawful enjoyments. Above that there is a sense in which, as we are reminded, “Youth and the prime of life are vanity.” Let our youth not cross the line which divides virtue from vice, wisdom from folly, conscientiousness for unscrupulousness. Don’t forget: God has given us a conscience.

While our author wishes for the young to enjoy the morning of life, he at the same time admonishes them in all things to have the fear of God before their eyes. It is true, as the world is constituted today, certain warnings must be added. Through the very lies of Satan before sin has entered the world came anger, suffering, death. Therefore the Lord tells us: “But know though that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”

Such a warning is necessary because of the corruption of our own nature. Pleasures may be innocent in themselves, but men are foolish and intemperate. If, therefore, you are to enjoy what God has so generously provided for you, you must daily ask yourself whether you are doing this according to the will of God. You should pray for wisdom, pray that God may guard you against your own folly, pray as the Psalmist prayed, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Don’t forget, dear young friends, there are many who would make you believe that they are your best friends, who yet would gladly see you lose your health, life, reputation, good name, friends, die in despair, and go to eternal damnation. The Lord says to us: “From such withdraw thyself.” And God must warn you because the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Times of enjoyment are not times of license. At such times we are not permitted to do that which is wrong, harmful, sinful, shameful, dangerous, and bring disaster upon ourselves and upon others. We must be sober, pure, and upright at all times. Is God your enemy because He adds this warning? Indeed not! By this very warning He wishes to safeguard your joys, your welfare, your happiness. Above all He can give you to inherit an eternal inheritance that fades not away. The devil offers us a fool’s paradise, but to learn to listen to the Lord in your youth promises a lasting paradise. ?

Rev. A.W. Verhoef is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

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