Am I Too Young?

Sometimes just because you are young, older people may refuse to listen to you or to your ideas, after all, you don't have experience, yet! But you have strength, energy, enthusiasm and if you choose to, you can be a good example to everybody. With your youthful energy and fresh insight you may see past the blind spots in older people's lives to truths they are blind to.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

Despising someone just because they are young can be a big mistake. Ask Goliath.

1 Samuel 17:42-43 When the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face. The Philistine said to David, 'Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?' The Philistine cursed David by his gods.

God can deliver by whoever he wants to, young or old, man or woman, so don't look down on others. Who knows who God will use to do some mighty task. Here is what David said to Goliath, notice especially the last verse, "for the battle is the LORD's".

1 Samuel 17:45-46a Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today, the LORD will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you, and take your head from off you.

1 Samuel 17:46c-47 that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD doesn't save with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.'

With God's help David killed Goliath and win a great victory.

Another example of young people with great faith and courage in the face of danger is three young Hebrews: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their response to one of the most feared and merciless rulers in all history is classic. When Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to bow to his golden idol, here is what they said:

Daniel 3:17-18 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

This made the king so mad that he had the furnace heated so hot that it killed the men who threw them into it. God saved them from the furnace so that not a hair of their head was singed.

God did help David against Goliath and deliver the three Hebrew children from Nebuchadnezzar, but he does not promise to keep us from suffering, in fact he says that if we live godly lives we will be persecuted.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

We may be persecuted, God may allow us to suffer, but He is faithful. He will not allow the persecution or the temptation to be so strong that we cannot endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Sometimes you will slip. I have. We all do. When you fall down, get back up, keep trying.

Proverbs 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

When you do slip and fall into sin, repent (quit doing it) and confess it to God and he will forgive you. The Greek verb tense for cleanse in the following verse is one that keeps on happening, Christ continually cleanses us.

1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When you have problems try to get good advice. None of us knows everything, we all can be blind-sided. Choosing an adviser is a matter for prayer. If you don't seek God's help you are ignoring the best possible source of help and advice. Sometimes the best answer comes from prayer and searching God's word, the Bible. Sometimes a human adviser is needed. When choosing an adviser, don't trust anyone that doesn't believe in God no matter how many degrees and certificates they have. Finally, once you have prayed and put your problems in God's capable hands, relax, He can handle it.

Philippians 4:6-7 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Do you want to succeed in life, to get good grades or to build up big muscles or to earn a fabulous amount of money and be rich and famous or powerful. Solomon doesn't say to sit back and wait for success to come to us, he says to work with all your might.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.

Our society fosters the idea that if you work real hard you can do almost anything. Sorry, that is a myth. After telling people to work hard, Solomon says that hard work doesn't always guarantee success.

Ecclesiastes. 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

So what do we do about time and chance. Why not get to know the one who controls time and chance, God. Where does the ability to do things come from? Who provides the time and opportunity to enable you to use your ability?

Deuteronomy 8:17-18 and lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth.' But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.

Fame, power, public office, money and riches, athletic ability, strength, skill, knowledge and the wisdom and the ability to use them are all blessings from God.

Daniel 2:20-21 Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

The best thing you can do is to get to know God. God is the source of real wisdom, but the foolish won't believe.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

Solomon wrote that of all the things you can strive for, wisdom is the best. Since God gives wisdom, seek to know him and his word.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

Solomon gives excellent advice to young people, remember God. This is good advice for everyone, no matter how old we are.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also 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;'

Do you like to play video games, or use a cell phone, or use a computer or drive a car? What happens when you push the wrong button? If you don't know which buttons to push you can really mess up. God has given us an operators manual for human life, the Bible, read it daily, learn it well, store it in your heart! It can help you make good choices in life and help you avoid pushing the wrong buttons (choosing wrong paths).

Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

When Christ was tempted he used Scriptures to combat the devil. Store God's word in your heart and use it to overcome temptation.

Everyone, young, old and in-between needs to be careful what they think. Garbage in, garbage out is true for computers and for people too. Learning God's word is one good thing to do. Think about it. Fill your brain with good things.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

Just because you are young does not mean that you are weak. John compliments young men who are strong, who have God's word in their hearts and who have overcome the evil one. Then he advises us to not love this world.

1 John 2:14-15 I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Don't love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father's love isn't in him.

Choose a career where you will not be tempted to sin. Drug dealers make a lot of money. Crooked executives and politicians do too. To lie and cheat someone and say "That is business." is wrong. Will your career put a lot of pressure on your to sin? If it does. Change.

Choose a career which enables you to glorify God. A well plowed field, a well built house, a beautiful song or painting, a job well done shows care and respect for others. Everything we do should glorify God: our speech, our work, how we treat people, our whole lives, everything. Think about it, if you do sloppy work, who is glorified? Does being mean and cruel to others glorify God? - - -

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Christianity is a good deal. When you really realized how blessed you are, sins forgiven, God's blessings, and a bright future in heaven, the logical response is to be happy.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!"

To the people of this world, getting to know God sounds crazy. If you are a genius with several Ph.D's and/or become world famous for your intellect, but don't know God and his ways, you really don't know anything worthwhile.

1 Corinthians 1:18-20 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.' Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Young or old, man or woman or child, we are all supposed to be humble and kind and subject ourselves to each other. Remember we need to cast all our worries and concerns on him. God cares for us.

1 Peter 5:5-7 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

CONCLUSION

If you know God, you can trust Him to take care of you. He is able. Youth is a time of growing, of learning, of making choices, of choosing your life's direction. Let God's Holy Spirit and his word guide you, trust him, seek his wisdom and his ways and you will make right choices.

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.