An Exemplary youth is one to be admired.. one from whom we could learn..
How does the inspired Holy Scriptures bring to light this exemplary youth?
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” Eccl. 12:1
The first remarkable feature about these youths is that they had the assurance that the Almighty was with them. How many youths of today can say, I have the assurance the LORD is with me? Consider the following youths we read about in THE HOLY BIBLE.
i) David
David the shepherd boy had the assurance that the LORD was with him. What a wonderful youth! He killed the lion! He killed the bear! He vigilantly kept his father’s sheep and he killed the giant Goliath and saved Israel. He was but a youth when he was anointed king in the midst of his brethren. I Samuel 16:13. This shepherd boy says, the LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want…Yea though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for THOU art with me.” ……His Psalms has many such words of assurance Psa. 23
He was hunted as one would hunt a partridge on a mountain by King Saul but the LORD preserved him withersoever he went - I Chronicles 18:13. Saul was all the more afraid of David when he perceived that the LORD WAS WITH HIM I Samuel 18:28,29. He had opportunities to take revenge, but he did not for he awaited God’s time. Judah and all Israel crowned him king when he was but 30 years old. He reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. This great king was also called the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
ii) Joseph
Joseph was a handsome lad even as David was. Gen. 39:6; The father loved him because he was the son of his old age but his brethren envied him. He was 17 years old when he left his father’s house in search of his brethren who were feeding the sheep. He was stripped off his coat of many colours, put in a pit, mercilessly sold to the Ishmaelites; he went to the slave market to Potipher’s house; falsely accused and cast into prison, from prison went he straight to the palace of Pharaoh the king of Egypt. 13 years of sore travail and humiliations did not make him bitter but made him a better lad. He forgave his brethren freely. Gen. 50:17-21. The secret was that the LORD was with him. The Scriptures bear witness. Gen 39:2,3,21,23.
iii) Daniel
Daniel was of the king’s seed and not more than 16 years of age when he was carried away as captive to Babylon. Among those who were chosen to be trained to stand in the palace of the king, Daniel was one and so were his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were found ten times better than the other trainees. In the 12th Chapter, Daniel’s name appears in the reigning Monarchs of that time. 70 years he lived a palace life. He was a wise councellor and was in high position in their realms. He purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meat. He kept himself pure. HE also kept himself amongst jealousy, envy and hatred. He fasted, he prayed and had many revelations, visions and dreams. He was preserved. A captive youth lived an exemplary life in a heathen kingdom. He bore the testimony, a man greatly beloved of the LORD.
Are we not strangers and pilgrims in this world? Should we not live an exemplary life like them?
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Young friend, consider the lives of these young men, they knew nothing better but were determined to be GOD's children in GOD's way. They knew the path of evil, and purposed in their hearts not to tread thereon. In this world where whichever side we turn there is nothing but corruption, abuse, malpractices, riots and uproar, we should preserve our life to be caught up at the coming of the LORD.
It is not by him that planteth, nor by him that watereth but by GOD who causeth to increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Therefore every good gift and perfect blessing cometh from the Father of lights and HE sure will bless our lives and the work of our hands
James 1:17 only if we choose to the way of life and depart from evil.
Proverbs 16:17
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to THY Word. Psalm 119:9
Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth. Jeremiah 3:4
May the LORD help us.
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