My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace, they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:1-6)

Young People That Believe In God

There are many things said with each generation of young people that characterize a rebellious, impudent and careless spirit of youth. Often the view of adolescence and young adult are met with disdain and a dispirited heart because of the actions of a few that have no moral compass or guidance from others. Yet there still remains a large body of young hearts that love to spend time with their fellow peers who respect and honor the name of God. Each year I am privileged to spend a week with some of the most sincere people of noble character and pure hearts when we engage in a Bible camp for youth. These are not misguided young people who are forced to accept a particular doctrine of human wisdom but the expression of children who enjoy having a wonderful time of fellowship without all of the trappings of the adult world. There is hope for a world that seems to have gone dark in its hatred, prejudice, violence, and immorality when one-hundred-forty-two young adults come together to sing praises to the Lord, bow the head in prayer, laugh, scream (very loudly), cry when moved by the word of God and recharge their spiritual batteries in a place that is filled with the presence of the Son of God. From time and eternity, the Lord has desired for youth to dwell upon His law and His will. The wisdom literature of holy writ is filled with an admonition for the young to retain the law of God in the minds dwelling upon the commandments of the Lord in their hearts. There are many young people that grow up in the admonition of the Lord free from the guilt and regrets of sexual immorality, drugs, alcohol, hatred, and despair. They struggle with the desires of the flesh, vaunted pride of carnality and the endless temptation of the eye candy from Satan seeking to draw them away into his wickedness but they overcome by the grace of God. Mercy and truth are bound about their necks inscribed as tablets on the hearts that seek the only truth, the only way, and the only life. The world needs to know there are many young people who trust in the Lord who are unwilling to compromise their young beliefs in favor of their heavenly Father. Their paths are directed by the word of God. They love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls and minds.

The book of Proverbs is replete with admonitions for the young to seek the mercy and truth of God. There are many challenges that face the youth of our age and this is not uncharacteristic of every age. Often it is said the generation of youth are worse than before but the sad tragedy of history is there is nothing new under the sun. When Solomon wrote his proverbs about the struggle of young people he did not express anything different than what the youth of today face. The temptation may be different in form but the character remains the same. When King David was a young man of fifteen he faced a world filled with sin, despair, and hopelessness. What set the son of Jesse apart is he trusted in the Lord. Solomon instructs young people not to forsake the law of God but to keep the commandments of the Lord. There are many young hearts that believe in the Lord and follow His mercy and truth binding them around their necks and finding favor with God and men. Jesus learned of obedience when a young man by following in the will of the Father and the joy of His Father’s grace. The young remind the older the grace of God is a powerful means to attain a life of peace and hope. They see God for who He really is without the trappings of a carnal world. One of the strengths of youth is the purity of heart needed desperately for those adults who have grown callous and hard in their view of the Lord. They are not just innocent hearts but trusting hearts.

Children can be taught to trust in the Lord and mold their hearts to keep the commandments of the Lord. When young hearts are molded in the image of God their lives will be stronger in facing the trials that will come. Binding mercy and truth around their necks will keep the cold winds of despair and hopelessness away. Trusting in the Lord with all their hearts will establish their lives on the rock of salvation known as Jesus Christ. One of the warnings given by Solomon is to not lean on the understanding of self but in all ways acknowledge the power of God allowing His word to direct the steps of the heart. It is a joy to spend time with some people young hearts that embrace the love of God. There will be many trials in the years to come as Satan continues his onslaught of evil against the hearts of God’s people. Thank God for young people who empower their hearts with the love of God and the power of His word who will face the temptations of life resolved in spirit to stand on the testimony of the eternal Father. The value of spiritual wisdom is found in the hearts of those young of hearts. Those who are older should take note and learn.