Young People’s Blog

Young People of Scripture
Samuel

“Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod … . And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord, and also with men … . And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel … knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:18, 26; 3:19-20).

Samuel is an outstanding example of a man of faith and courage in the Old Testament. However, it is important to keep in mind that it began when he was a young boy. In 1 Samuel chapter 2 we read of the call of the Lord and Samuel’s open ear and obedient attitude. He also had a willingness to serve in the temple under the direction of Eli the priest. As a result, he was raised up to be a great prophet and judge and a tremendous blessing to God’s people all through his life.

If we are going to be used of the Lord, it starts with the little things. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). It also starts with a willingness to listen to and obey God’s Word. We don’t have to wait until we are older to “minister before the Lord.” Let’s learn to serve Him in the days of our youth.

Protection — Part 2

“In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness. Bow down Thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be Thou my strong Rock, for an house of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).

As we said yesterday, David at this point in his life was in a very vulnerable position. His heart was broken. His enemies were chasing him, and his friends had let him down. But he was not defenseless. He knew that God is the best possible source for safety, and that a right relationship with Him is the best defense strategy. That is where he found his security and protection.

Just as a child finds confidence in calling out for his older and stronger brother when threatened by a bully, David called on the name of the Lord. Because he was living in fellowship with Him, he hid himself in the security of the One who had helped him many times before, and who loved him with an unfailing love.

Are we as quick to seek that same security? God can be trusted! He was a sure hiding place for David, and He is also the One we should cling to for our protection. Remember, safety is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God.

Protection — Part 1

“For Thou art my Rock and my Fortress” (Psalm 31:3).

Protection comes in many forms. A rabbit dives for his hole, a deer runs for the dense cover of the forest, a toddler clings to his father’s pant leg or hides behind his mother’s skirt, and a soldier digs in under cover of supportive artillery. According to Proverbs 30:26, “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” But what does a Christian do? And where does he hide when surrounded by danger?

David knew where to turn. When he wrote Psalm 31 things were not going very well for him. When you read the psalm, you realize that he was tired, weak, and hurting. His mind was distressed and his thoughts in a turmoil. He says, “I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief … For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed … . I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel” (verse 9-10, 12). Yet he could still say, “But I trusted in Thee, O Lord” (verse 14). This is where we too find true protection.

Dear Young Christian:

It is a cold, dull, rainy day here in southern France, and I would love to go back to bed with a warm comforter and just relax after a busy weekend of Bible conference and visiting. But there are brothers and sisters in Christ that are going to arrive at any moment, and a day of being together for some activities and meals is planned. So when I finish writing this calendar page I need to get on with life and make sure our guests are taken care of, and, most of all, that there is a time of encouragement and sharing of the precious things of Christ. The verse that is before me is “But encouraging one another” (Hebrew 10:25, J.N.D. Translation).

Yes, we all need encouragement in these difficult times when there is so much to discourage. And we can, and should, all be encouragers. It is so easy to talk about those things that do not edify and encourage, but how good to be like David, who, “encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6). Then and only then can we encourage others. See how much of an encourager you can be this week.

Your Christian Friend,

 Jim Hyland

Eat and Drink

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Do you know what it is to EAT and DRINK of the Lord’s supper? I have often wished that the words eat and drink were printed in capital letters in our Bibles. Many will say, I can remember the Lord in my heart, and while that is true, we need to realize that there is something physical that He has asked us to do to give expression to what is in our hearts.

What would I think if you were invited to my home for a meal, sat down at my table, but refused to eat of the supper provided? I would be very disappointed! Yet often there are those who are truly saved who come to the breaking of bread meeting and yet never eat and drink of the Lord’s supper. What a disappointment this must be to the One who died for us and who has invited us, and requested, “Take, eat … . After the same manner also He took the cup … this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Will you EAT and DRINK of that supper today?

Pardon

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity?” (Micah 7:18).

“And why dost Thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?” (Job 7:21).

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

The Prince of Wales once sought a prisoner worthy of pardoning, He passed up all those who stoutly justified themselves, but chose an aged man who broke down and frankly confessed his guilt and shame and that he deserved his imprisonment. What an apt example of the pardoning Savior who said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

Yes, the Lord is ready, willing, and more than able to give full pardon to those who confess that they are sinners and receive Him as Savior. There is not one thing that we can do to rid ourselves of one sin. But there is abundant pardon to the one who admits his sin!

Faith Not Failure

“Now the just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38).

“These all, having obtained a good report through faith” (Hebrews 11:39).

Recently, at a Bible conference in Bergerac, France we considered Hebrews chapter 11. In that chapter we have a tremendous list of men and women and young people from the Old Testament, who triumphed by faith against all kinds of problems, temptations, and the efforts of Satan to get them to give up and spoil their testimony for the Lord. It was so good to dwell on their faith and not their failures. When you read their stories in the Old Testament you realize that they did have failures. But in reading Hebrews 11 you also realize that in spite of it, the Lord used them in wonderful ways, and that, no matter what the failure and discouragement may have been, there was restoration and usefulness and a reward for their faith and faithfulness.

Just so it is with the Lord’s dealings with any one of us. If there has been failure and unfaithfulness in your life, judge it, and continue on in the pathway of faith. Don’t dwell on the negative, but rather on the faithfulness of your Lord, and rejoice in all that He is doing for you in your life.

Call on the Lord

Someone made a comment the other day that I have thought a lot about. Here is what they said:

“When some basic need is lacking — time, energy, money or resources — consider yourself blessed.”

Yes, often those times of extremity are times when we find ourselves most dependent on the Lord and most apt to call on Him for help. When we have no other resource, we look to Him and Him alone. I am often surprised at the way the Lord comes in and provides in remarkable ways in those times. And yet I ought not to be, as He has promised over and over in the Bible to provide what is needed, and just at the right time, too. Here are some statements from the Word of God to confirm this:

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15).

“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him” (Psalm 91:15).

“Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you” (Jeremiah 29:12).

Have you called on the Lord today?

Young Men

“I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14).

This page today is especially for young men, although it certainly applies to young women as well.

How do you measure up, young brother? Are you strong? (Maybe you are strong physically, but how about spiritually?) Does God’s Living Word abide in you? Have you overcome Satan? This is a tremendous challenge, and yet one that is possible to take up and triumph in because of the resources we have in Christ.

Solomon said, “The glory of young men is their strength” (Proverbs 20:29). Again, it is not so much physical strength that counts in our spiritual life. (Not that physical strength isn’t important as well). It is to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). This is what matters first and foremost, and this is what will give us power to overcome and to live for the Lord’s glory in a sinful world where everything is against God, Christ, and His followers.

Our Lord Jesus Christ

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

Loving, perfect, sinless Savior,

Oversees my case;

Ready always to forgive me,

Daily grace.

Just and righteous,

Ever loyal,

Sweetest friend to me;

Understanding, patient, powerful,

Sovereign He.

Caring for me every moment,

Holding me each day;

Resting in His arms,

Interceding for me,

Safely,

Trust His way.