WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT YOUTH LIFE?
ECCLESIASTES 11:9-10
Young People, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart’s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do.
Youth is a time for fundamental decisions and the beginning of fulfilling our dreams. And yet, young people today face enormous challenges: the uncertainty of relationship in a digital era, diminishing opportunities for work, the growth of political violence, discrimination, degradation of the environment. All of this makes it difficult for them to find a road where they can build supportive personal and family relations based on solid spiritual and financial foundations.
Which is the most difficult era of human life? Infancy? Adolescence? Mature adulthood? Agedness? It probably depends upon where you are as to how you might answer that query.
While many might suggest that one’s sunset years are the hardest, my own judgment would be that the period designated as youth might be the most challenging.
Youth is a frustrating time in life. It is that period when one is hardly old enough to be on his own, and yet he is feeling a sense of independence. Youth ever are attempting to find some sense of identity; that is why they sometimes act and dress so weird. They are bizarre!
But then, so were we.
The Scriptures represent youth as a time both of danger and challenge. Moses said that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21), and Paul admonished Timothy to “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22).
By way of contrast, though, the Creator also recognizes the value of youth to the divine cause. Youngsters have energy, they are daring, their hearts are filled with visions of the future. Indeed, they can be a most valuable component in the service of Jehovah.
Solomon, who wasted much of his life in folly, perhaps thought better of the matter in his declining days. He contended:
“Remember now 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 pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1).
Again, Paul would say to Timothy:
“Let no man despise your youth; but you be an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
It strikes me that whereas our youth can be quite impetuous and sometimes a bit silly, they are, nonetheless, a wonderful resource in the kingdom of heaven.
The fact is, the Bible is replete with examples of how God has used younger people in some of the most vital roles in the unfolding of his marvelous plan of redemption.
before we talk about the persons who were mentioned in the given scripture portions, Let’s recollect some striking examples that how God used them in their youth.
1. JOSEPH
Joseph is truly one of the sterling characters of the Old Testament era. He was a favorite of his father, which incited the passionate envy of his brothers (cf. Acts 7:9). Accordingly, these hateful siblings sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites who transported him down to Egypt, where the younger brother was bought by an Egyptian officer named Potiphar.
As most everyone knows, during the course of his duties, Potiphar’s evil wife cast longing eyes toward Joseph. She attempted to seduce him, but he, with firm resolve, resisted, insisting: “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).
One of the stunning features of the account is the fact that Jospeh was only seventeen years of age (Gen. 37:2)! A young lad, in a strange land, separated from his people and his center of religious strength — yet faithful to his God. How thrilling!
As the story subsequently unfolds, we learn that Joseph was being used by GOD as a providential instrument for the preservation of the Hebrew nation. Joseph would later recognize: “God did send me [here] to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5).
Again, at the end of his life, to his brothers he said: “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good ... to save many lives” (50:20).
All of this was done, of course, in view the Lord’s use of the Hebrew nation as an instrument in the divine plan which resulted in the incarnation of Christ. Think about it. God trusted a teenager to accomplish such a vital role.
2.DAVID
The story of David, who became Israel’s king, is too well-known to need elaboration. Who among us, both as child and adult, has not thrilled to the narrative of David’s encounter with the devilish Goliath?
What a breathtaking episode — the soldiers of Israel on one side of the valley of Elah, the defiant Philistine champion on the other. Morning and evening for forty days, Goliath had challenged Israel to combat, but they were frozen in fear (1 Sam. 17:10-16).
When David arrived on the scene he was chagrined at the timidity of his Hebrew kinsmen and volunteered to take on the infidel. But he was disdained as a mere “youth” — initially by king Saul himself, and then by Goliath (1 Sam. 17:33,42). Never mind; God was with this “youth,” who may have been about twenty-two or so at the time. Goliath was slain and the Philistine force was routed.
3. JEREMAIAH
Jeremiah, the great “weeping prophet,” is one of the more remarkable characters of the Old Testament. He sought so desperately to bring rebellious Judah back into conformity with the law of God. He began his ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah (626 B.C.) and concluded his work among his people when the Babylonian force destroyed the temple in 586 B.C. But he prophesied periodically even after the fall of the holy city.
It is possible that his preaching career spanned some sixty years or more. This suggests that Jeremiah was probably in his late teens when he was called of the Lord to be his prophet to the wicked nation. God can use a youth of faith!
DANIEL 1: 1-17
Coming to the given text the book of Daniel points to the exemplary spiritual life of young Daniel. The young Jewish men Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishel (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) who were brought as captives to Babylon resolved to stay in their pure lives even in Babylon. The new circumstances, religion, culture or eating habits failed to tempt them. They remained different even in food and drinks.
When today’s youth have to face circumstances where they have to stay in a different country, culture and language these Jewish young men can be their models. Like how in their situation they proved that Jehovah is the true God the present youth should also be willing to do the same.
ACTS 6: 1-7
The men appointed to do the ministry at the tables in the first century Church did their ministry in faith, Holy Spirit, wisdom and good testimony. They are models for today’s youth to be in action with Christ. One amongst them, Stephen, became a martyr for the gospel. Likewise Philip as a missionary did Spirit- filled ministry in Samaria. The whole of Samaria believed in Christ and got baptized (Acts 8: 8- 17). Through Philip, a eunuch who was an important official of the Queen of Ethiopia heard the gospel and a Church was established in Africa (Acts 8:26- 40).
Youth can accomplish magnificent things for the Master’s cause. But do we always recognize this? Are our young people merely ignored as empty-headed, silly people who are unworthy of serious responsibility?
Sadly, this may be the case sometimes. But we should not overlook this valuable resource in the Master’s cause. We must be on the lookout for them and encourage them along the way. God can use them mightily.
Being as the Church, Family and Society let us recognize the ability of the youth amongst us in our families, Churches and also in the Christian communities and encourage them to lead their life in actions with God to do the many grate things for Christ!
