During those years I had the privilege of being involved with the Youth for Christ movement we used the phrase -”For a livable tomorrow - reach today’s youth”. That is the real message of Eccels. 12:1:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
I. How to Begin
Start by teaching God consciousness states Eccles. 12:1 - “Remember thy Creator”. Let me illustrate. Mrs. Tallman taught third grade where I went to public school. She wore the same print dress daily - different colors but the same basic pattern. However in contrast to our day she daily began the class by reading a Psalm to us. That was a huge factor in my awareness of God - i.e. I became God conscious. This was coupled with a Godly aunt who lived in our home and prayed that I would be saved and preach the Gospel. My real pursuit of God began there in the 3rd grade and in my home where my aunt would publicly pray for me. I particularly remember Mrs. Tallman reading Psalm 14:1 which says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’”. I didn’t want to be a fool and so my reaction was - “God I want to know you”. Jeremiah 29:13 is very clear as to what happens at the point of God consciousness -
“and ye shall seek me and find me when you
search for me with all your heart”
That third grade experience prepared me for my teenage years at Pinebrook where Percy Crawford (the director) said at a Saturday night campfire, “Are you willing to let God make you willing to be willing?” I responded and very soon discovered those prayers of a Godly aunt being answered. The fact is that God consciousness became the foundation for obedience. Mrs. Tallman would remind us that any form of disobedience in class got the attention of God. Disobeying Mrs. Tallman meant discipline but to my mind I sure didn’t want to experience any displeasure from God. No way!
II. The Consequences of Neglecting Ecclesiastes 12:1
Our text describes evil days to come i.e. days of vulnerability are in the future of every young person. That can best be understood by the development of the word fool described in the Bible. Psalm 14:1 states that a person who ignores God consciousness is a fool:
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”
In view of that, what happens to a Psalm 14:1 person? Note two alarming results:
1. A Psalm 14:1 person becomes his own God. Proverbs12:15 puts it this way -
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.”
That text really says that if a person doesn’t worship the God of the Bible he turns to a false god which is really a reflection of himself. Such a person determines truth and articulates his own standard for living.
2. A Psalm 14:1 person mocks sin as Proverbs 14:9 states:
“Fools make a mock at sin”
A fool then lives as though God didn’t exist and therefore he substitutes himself as God and he, the fool, determines his own life style so of course he removes sin from his thinking because he can’t tolerate guilt. Here is the real issue——the moment you say God exists the next question is “what does He want from me?” Minutes after the apostle Paul had a God encounter he said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6)
Now do you see the importance of making sure God consciousness is never removed from the home or public arena? One of the founding fathers put it this way:
“God Governs in the affairs of men.
And if a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without His notice, is it probable
that an empire can rise without his aid?”
-- Benjamin Franklin
Next month we’ll look at the safe guards for youth that must be in place in the home plus the basics needed if a church is to reach today’s youth. There are at least three steps involved.
Look around next Sunday in your church. Where are the youth? Does your church have a future?
Faithfully yours,
Dr John DeBrine