"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
Youth have the capacity for adventure, and God often uses this capacity to accomplish that which older servants of the Lord are unable to do. While the adventurous spirit often leads the youthful to accomplish great things there will always be the need for the wisdom of older servants, who themselves were adventurous in their youth.
Caleb, who was a young man during Moses' early leadership, survived the 40 years of wandering that Israel had to do in the wilderness. Because he was faithful to believe the Lord's word that they were able to go in and take the promise land, he was ready and able to follow Joshua into Canaan at the age of 85.
"And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these 45 years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses... As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in." (Joshua 14:10-11)
Caleb retained his youth because he was maintaining his readiness to accomplish the great things God had directed them toward forty-five years earlier. He did not let his spirit-of-youth evaporate, because he desired to finish what God had appointed him to do. All others but Joshua, who were his age, had succumbed to old age and died.
Caleb now had an advantage. Not only was he youthfully strong and capable for the vigorous challenge, he had gained wisdom through those 45 years. He was a wiser leader and able to out-maneuver the enemy because of the instruction-in-wisdom the years had provided. Those who were young would not have the benefit of the understanding he would have in the heat of battle. He had not let the passing years hurt him, he had used those years to gain insight. And he parleyed that wisdom and youthful strength into victory for his family.
It is easy with each passing year to submit to the idea that with age comes weakness. But for the servant of the Lord that is not necessarily true. When God has provided us a vision for victory in some area of life, and that opportunity for victory has not yet been presented, then we do not have to sit down, surrender our youth, and die. Instead, we can work to be ready for the opportunity that God has promised.
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Editor's note: James Duncan is the pastor of Mountain Bible Church, Mountain, Mo. The views expressed are those of the author. He may be contacted at P.O. Box 146, Pea Ridge, AR 72751; or by telephone at 417-341-8504; by e-mail at [email protected]. His Web site is www.jamesduncan-writer.net.
Religion on 01/11/2017