"Let no one Despise your Youth…"

    It might seem a mistake when we find the apostle Paul telling Timothy "Let no one despise your youth…" He should have instructed the elders not to look down upon young Timothy’s Capacity. But it was not a mistake, but as the wise Solomon said, "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Prov.27: 17). Just as other iron can only shape iron, you only can decide the way and the depth of people’s dealings with you. In other words, you only can make people respect you by respecting yourself and them. Your maturity, the depth of your words, and your honorable stands make people give you respect and adoration, no matter how young you are. Don’t let the devil convince you that you are young, irresponsible, and  have no part in the service of the Lord.

 

Review with me the following examples:

    A little girl lost her family, her house, and her country. In an instant, she lost everything. She was captured by the enemy, and faced slavery, and mock. Unexpectedly, she found herself to be a slave in the house of the commander of the army (the man who inflicted all these wounds on her). The girl was such a good example, that her master trusted the words she uttered. Because of her master’s confidence in her love and wisdom, he left his home, traveled to a far country and was healed. This slave-girl’s presence was a blessing for her master. (This story is found in 2Kings chapter 5).

    A child of eight years was given the responsibility of ruling over a kingdom. His grandfather was one of the most evil kings that ruled over Judah. "He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." (2Chronicles33: 6). After him came the boy’s father, who surpassed his father in his evil deeds. Then the Lord killed him so that the boy would reign over a country full of sin and evil. In spite of his age, the young boy chose the Lord and his glory, and he took a heroic stand for GOD. The Lord acknowledged him as a man. (This story is found in 2Chronicles chapters 33 & 34).

    Yes, he is definitely a man. For age, body, or muscle doesn’t make a man, but the stand for the Lord does. The Lord is calling out for men. Is anyone ready to answer the call, and be a man?

    The Lord called a young teenager to serve and fight the good fight. " I ordained you as a prophet to the nations." Said the Lord. The boy, as any of us would, answered and said: " I can’t speak, for I’m a youth." But the Lord said to him and to you: " Don’t say I’m a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Don’t be afraid of their faces, for I’m with you to deliver you." Then the Lord extended his hand and touched the boy’s mouth and said: "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I’ve this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer.1: 4-10).

    Can someone so young be given such a wide capacity, and be regarded so highly by the Lord. Yes. You can find many examples in his word, where the Lord lifts a young person’s head. Only, you have to devote yourself for the Lord, and he will send you to plant and harvest a lot of fruits. In spite of your age, your level of education, or your situation, let the weak say I’m strong, and the young say I’m a hero in the Lord.


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