Young People’s Blog

Come Away

The fast-paced society that many of us live in has its increasing pressures and nonstop demands. We live in a world where education and business are glorified, and where they think more is better. More homework, more projects, more meetings, more programs…more activity.

But sometimes we have to put those demands on hold in order to spend time with the Lord so that we can develop and deepen our relationship with Him. Twice in the Song of Solomon the Bridegroom says to the bride, “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away…Arise, My love, My fair one, and come away” (2:10,13).

If we are going to spend time alone with the Lord, we are always going to have to leave something or let something go. This will be largely unappreciated by those who do not know the Lord and who seek to put demands on you at school or at work. But it will be much appreciated by the One who desires that you “come away”with Him to enjoy His presence and His thoughts. You will have the same commendation as Mary of Bethany of whom the Lord said, “Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

Joy

“We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:11).

Yesterday, we talked about our joy in the Lord and the positive effect that it has on our outlook on life. It gives buoyance and spark to each step of faith no matter how dark and difficult things may seem. It enables us to look beyond the present to a bright future with the Lord Jesus in heaven and lifts us above the present trials and tests of daily living.

But our joy in the Lord can also have an impact on the life and attitude of others. If we are joyful, our joy becomes contagious, bringing sunshine and hope into the lives and hearts of fellow-believers who are discouraged and ready to give up.

Our joy in the Lord is also a testimony to the unbeliever. When they see that you have a joy that does not depend on present circumstances, they will realize that you have something out of this world. I know of those who have been saved because they saw joy and happiness in a Christian coworker, fellow-student, or other acquaintance, amidst suffering and disappointment. Don’t forget, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Dear Young Christian,

“Joy in the Lord” (Isaiah 29:19).

Do you truly find your “joy in the Lord”? He is our strength and resource for every stage of life. Even in difficult times and trying situations it is important that we maintain our “joy in the Lord.” If we only focus on the bad things and the things that are wrong, we are going to lose that joy and become disheartened and discouraged. The joy and happiness of this world is temporary and to a great degree depends on pleasant circumstances. But, as the Lord said to His disciples, “Your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22).

The Christians in Philippi didn’t have it easy, but the Apostle Paul could write from his prison cell and encourage them, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 3:1; 4:4). This same encouragement I want to pass along to you. Maintain your “joy in the Lord” this week by keeping close communion with Him and enjoying His love and kindness.

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

Passing By

“And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39).

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow, which is done unto Me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted Me in the day of His fierce anger” (Lamentations 1:12).

As the Lord hung in shame and suffering on a Roman cross for all who passed by to see, many reviled Him as they hurried on their way. To revile is to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner. What an awful commentary on those who had no love or care for the Son of God!

In his book of Lamentations, Jeremiah asks a very searching question for our hearts to consider today: “Is it nothing to you?” As we pass by the cross in thought and spirit today, and as we take some time to meditate on the sufferings of Christ, “Is it nothing to you?” Let’s not be like so many who passed by Calvary, shaking their heads and taunting the One who hung there. Let’s be worshipers with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving, realizing, “He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

Saved By A Hymn

“And when they had sung an hymn…” (Mark 14:26).

The following account shows the importance of hymn singing connected with gospel work and evangelical meetings:

Knowing that Charles Wesley was going to preach in a certain barn near Dublin Ireland, a man went early and crept into a grain sack close to the door, intending, as soon as the preaching had begun, to open the door to the mob outside, the door being locked during the meeting for fear of an attack. The man in the sack, being fond of music, remained quiet while the hymn was sung. But something more than the music reached him. It was the voice of God speaking to his conscience. He dared not open the door, but waited for the prayer. He now felt himself a lost sinner, and forgetting where he was, he began to pray aloud for mercy, to the astonishment of the congregation, who helped him from the sack. This man was happily saved and from that moment on became a true follower of Christ.

I know that many of my readers have heard and sung Christ-exalting gospel hymns from the early days of childhood. Have you heeded their warnings and entreaties?

Our Help

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

In our busy, stress-filled world, we may sometimes be tempted to look in the wrong place and in the wrong direction for help. One of God’s creatures illustrate this. A bee dropped into a jar will stay there until it dies. Unaware of the open top, it seeks escape at the bottom. Similarly, many people, young and old, grope at the bottom of their circumstances, not willing to look up to the Lord for help.

The inspired writer realized the right place to look for help when he penned the following verses: “From whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). While we are thankful for the helpful counsel and advice of family, friends, and other believers, yet in the end we must look to the Lord who is “a very present help” (Psalm 46:1).

Don’t Answer Back

“Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
“Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further”
(Job 40:1-5).

It is a great thing to know that as believers we are very precious to the Lord. He died to save us. We are perfect in God’s sight because of the death of His Son, and, “He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). But, in spite of this, I must realize that in my own strength, and in my own intelligence, I am absolutely nothing and cannot answer back to God. I must lay my hand upon my mouth. I must be silent! He is wiser and stronger than I, or any earthly counsellor or advisor “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

Don’t try to reason or argue with God. Accept what He is doing in your life and learn from it. This is the way of real blessing and happiness.

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Perhaps you are familiar with these words, as well as other encouragements from the Bible to slow down and take time to get to know your wonderful God and Savior. But do you take this invitation seriously? Do you take time out of your busy day to “Be still”?

You will never really get to know the Lord unless you take time to “be still” in His company. This is crucial, as we can only learn of Him and His ways with us in the secret and quiet of being alone in His presence. That is where we learn to view things from His perspective and that is where we learn His heart of love, and His infinite wisdom. Enjoyment of Himself and the blessings He has for us will only come as we know Him better, and we only know Him better as we heed the word, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

There is a hymn that sums it up well:

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side…
To guide the future as He has the past…
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart.”

Thy Word, How Sweet

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

“How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).

Oh, Lord, Thy Word, how sweet indeed,
My comfort, guide, and stay;
Supplying here my every need,
Feeding my soul each day.

My meditation all day long,
Its light directs my feet;
Hid in my heart, it keeps from wrong –
Its words, I joy to  eat.

Such living power I daily prove,
Refreshment by the way,
(Doubts, fears, enigmas, all remove,)
A full resource alway!

Dear Young Christian,

Whew! A whole month of this year is gone already! It makes me think about what Job said concerning his life. “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle” (Job 7:6). David likens our life to “a shadow that passeth away” (Psalm 144:4). Ethan the Ezrahite declared, “How short my time is” (Psalm 89:47).

James says, “it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).

This is why it is so important to make every day of our lives count for the Lord. We will someday have to give an account to Him, not for our sins, but for how well we used our time and resources for His glory and the blessing of others. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Whatever time we may have wasted in the past, let’s think about this verse as we head out this week: “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). And let’s spend our time and days wisely!

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland