Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement. Ecclesiastes 11:9
Young people love to do what they want to do and not be told that they cannot or should not do it. Not having all of the adult cares, many will do crazy and foolish things just to have fun. Many adults continue to live that same way as they get older.
Solomon tells the young man to have a cheerful heart and follow his heart and eyes in what he wants to do, but to remember that God will bring judgement upon those actions.
Living care-free and without any concerns or worries is the dream of most people. Once a person becomes an adult, and matures physically and mentally, one learns about the difficulties of life–bills, repairs, health and more–responsibility. Without those difficulties, life is much more ‘fun’ and one can appear to do anything one wants with no consequences.
The world lives in this very same way. People live in sinful ways following their heart and the lust of their eyes thinking that it is acceptable and with no consequences.
Although God may be silent at the moment, there will come a day in which God will judge all those actions. No one is supposed to follow the heart, which is deceitful and wicked, but are to follow God.
Only when a person chooses to follow God with all of one’s heart, mind, soul and strength, will one find true joy and no judgement. Believers are to walk the path of holiness and righteousness of God, not their own path of sinful desires.
Regardless of how old or young you are, you have a choice in what path you will choose to walk. There will always be a temptation to follow your heart, which will follow the ways of this world. Taking that path will lead you to judgement, destruction and death.
Turn your heart and life over to God and follow His ways in every area of your life. Walk in His ways and know true life and joy beyond understanding that will last for eternity. Keep yourself from God’s judgement by following His ways.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the path God has for you; that God will reveal youthful ways in your life; that God will give you strength to walk His path; and that you will know the life God has for you.
Picture by James Baldwin on Unsplash
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