In Psalm 144:1212That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: (Psalm 144:12), we find a somewhat unique expression: “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth.” In the context in which the phrase occurs in Scripture, it is in anticipation of millennial blessing for Israel, and the verse expresses a wish for young men and women to display a character in keeping with the glory of that day. But how can one be grown up in his youth?
In natural things, those who are familiar with plants know that it is impossible for a growing plant, at any given time, to display anything but its particular stage of maturity. A wheat stalk with immature wheat kernels cannot “pretend” to exhibit fully mature wheat. A pumpkin or squash vine, while it is still in flower, cannot demonstrate developed fruit. But for the human race, we know that it is possible for those who are young to display a character and bearing that is far beyond their years, and perhaps to take on an assumed manner that does not suit their actual age. We refer to such children or young people as being precocious, and we may even judge them to be cocky, brash and overconfident. We may well ask, Is this what it means to be “grown up” in our youth?
Beautiful in Its Season
No, for to take on an air that is not becoming to our age and natural maturity is never right before God. Everything in divine things is beautiful only in its season. We see this exemplified in the life of our blessed Lord. When He went up to the temple with His parents as a twelve-year-old boy and sat among the doctors of the law, it is recorded that He was “hearing them, and asking them questions” (Luke 2:4646And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)). He surely knew far more than all of them, yet His conduct was in keeping with that of a twelve-year-old. He was (and we speak reverently) “grown up” in His youth, for when His parents remonstrated with Him about it, His answer was, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” While He was subject to His earthly parents, He realized that His Father, who had sent Him down to this world, had work for Him to do that was outside of His obligations to Joseph and Mary.
Likewise, in the lives of younger believers in this world, we sometimes see behavior that is not precocious or out of place, yet shows a character of maturity and understanding that is beyond what we would normally expect from someone of that age. Perhaps two anecdotes from history will serve to illustrate this.
Two Anecdotes
Back in the sixteenth century, a man by the name of Robert lived in France. He was a Huguenot—one who knew and loved the gospel and traveled extensively to make it known to others. He had a wife and a young daughter named Arlette, and when his wife became ill and went to be with the Lord, his daughter, at perhaps ten years of age, was compelled to travel with him. Robert and his companions led the lives of wanderers and often had “no certain dwelling place.” One night they took refuge in an old hut in the forest and ventured to light a fire to keep warm. But the smoke from the chimney was detected by their enemies, and they were all arrested and brought to trial as heretics. As was customary in that day, the adults were all condemned to be publicly burnt at the stake, and the sentence was carried out a few days later. Little Arlette was spared, but she was present when her father and the other men were led out, tied to the stake, and the fire lit. As the flames rose up, Arlette’s godly feelings overcame her. As she had traveled with her father and others, she had often heard them speak of the prospect of martyrdom. And now it was happening! Breaking loose from those with whom she was standing, she ran into the flames, stood boldly by her father, and gave up her life with him.
As the Reformation took hold in England, the gospel was preached, and there was a real turning to the Lord by many. But when Queen Mary I ascended the throne in 1553, she made an attempt during her five-year reign to restore the authority of the Pope and turn England once again to Roman Catholicism. A young man named William Hunter, who lived in Brentwood, Essex, was caught one day reading his Bible and was arrested. He was interrogated a number of times and spent nine months in a dismal prison, with only a bit of bread and water to sustain him. His jailor was told to place upon him “as many iron fetters as he could possibly bear.” Finally, when he would not give up the truth of the gospel and his faith in Christ, he was led out to be burnt in March 1555. He remained steadfast to the end and gladly gave up his life at the young age of nineteen.
The Seriousness of Life
Both of these were “grown up in their youth,” not because they were trying to speak and act beyond their years, but because they realized the seriousness of life and the reality of the precious truths of Christianity. Their faithfulness may well serve as an example for all who are young. We may not all be called to die for Christ, in one sense, for the Lord allows some to live out their lives and to serve Him in this world. But in another sense, each one of us is called upon to die to our own thoughts and ambitions and to live for God’s glory.
The crown of life is mentioned twice in Scripture: once in Revelation 2:1010Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10) and also in James 1:1212Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12). In Revelation, it is the crown given to those who give up their lives for Christ, for the promise is: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” But in James we read, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” Some will receive that crown for dying as martyrs, while others will receive it for resisting the constant temptations of this world, perhaps for a lifetime.
Discipleship
The Lord Jesus reminded His disciples that “if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it” (Matt. 16:24-2524Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 16:24‑25)). In the days when these words were spoken, any man who was seen to take up his cross was going to die. It was the ultimate penalty for crime; the Romans made the victim carry on his back the very cross on which he would shortly be crucified. Whether we are called upon to die as martyrs (and many in this world today are suffering martyrdom for Christ) or whether we are allowed to live for Christ, the cost of discipleship is the same; we must be willing to give up everything for Him. The terms are not negotiable; if we fail to do this, the Lord says, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:2727And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27)). Some have failed in this and, repenting later in life, have boldly taken up the cross. But how much better to take up the cross in youth, whatever the cost may be! It is then that our ambitions and energy are at their height; it is then that a decision to live for Christ can set the tone for the rest of our lives.
W. J. Prost