Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-9, 12:6-8, The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”; …Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

I like the Good News Bible’s translation of 11:8, “Remember, no matter how long you live, you will be dead a lot longer!” In terms of the time of this world, we are but a tiny speck; in terms of the vastness of the visible universe seemingly insignificant. This wisdom from Solomon would be depressing if it stopped there, but we know the One who holds it all in His hand, the Alpha and the Omega, pre-existent, who spoke and creation sprang forth. And He is the one who has loved us enough to make sure that we have a future and a hope!

All our hope is in You, Lord!