Young Lights

Young Lights 

Illus: Flashlights come in all sizes. There are big ones tiny ones, super bright ones. But they are also similar in that every flashlight requires two things to work:

1)    Power (normally batteries)

2)    And an Operator – someone to turn it on, hold it, point it.

Like a flashlight, God’s children – those who would be lights for Him in this world – must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and surrendered to the leading of Christ.

Jesus said: Matthew 5:14-16  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Being a light for God isn’t just for His older/grown up/adult/ children. It’s a call for all His children! Some say the youth are the future of the church; I prefer to say they are the present as well as the future!

So today, lets look at just a few of God’s young lights as depicted in Scripture.

1) Samuel

1 Samuel 1:27-28 NKJ “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. ²⁸ “Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”

1 Samuel 2:18, 26 NKJ  “But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod… ²⁶  And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men”  

1 Samuel 3:10 NKJ  “Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

Hannah prayed diligently for a son, and she promised God that she would dedicate him to God. As soon as Samuel was weaned – perhaps from 3-7 years of age, he was taken to the temple where he began his training as a priest (a minister). Those early years of proper training were important and Samuel learned, and chose, to listen to God’s voice and heed His instruction. Samuel would become a very important prophet.  

If you are a parent, its important to train your children early, and dedicate them to God! Paul told Timothy (2 Tim 3:15) that from a child he, Timothy, had known the Scriptures which are able to make him salvation wise through faith in Jesus. Parents, immerse your children in Scripture. Young lights, immerse yourself in Scripture, looking for the truths about Jesus and the gospel, so you too will grow in favor with God and man! God called Samuel by name. He knows your name too, and He calls you to follow Him.

Here are some traits of this young light:

• Young, but Obedient/Willing
• He chose to take the time to serve God
• That resulted in his growing in grace
• God spoke to Him, even called him by name
• He listened to God

2) Little Maid

2 Kings 5:2-4 NKJ  “And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. ³ Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” ⁴ And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.”

We don’t even know her name, though I’m sure she had one.  She is simply referred to as a young girl. She was taken captive by Israel’s enemy – Syria – and became a captive (slave) servant to the wife of the general of all of Syria’s armies. Yet, she followed God’s instructions to love one’s enemies and when opportunity presented itself, she gave council on how Naaman could be healed of his skin disease by the prophet in her home land of Israel. Her life as a servant must have been admirable, as Naaman listened and beseeched the Syrian king to be allowed to go. As a result of this young light, Naaman, the proud general of the enemies armies was converted!

How many could you point to Christ, and His healing, if you were as loving, as brave, and as courageously confident in sharing the Bible truth you know?

Here are some traits of this young light:

• Young
• Humble
• Loving, Kind, and Forgiving
• Confident, Bold, & Firm in her Convictions.
• Her Convictions and Council were Convincing

3) A Lad with a Lunch

John 6:6-10 NKJ  “But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.”

We don’t know this boy’s name either. He was simply a lad with a simple lunch – 2 small fish and 5 barley loaves. Barley was a poor man’s food, so he must not have been from an affluent home. Phillip stated that it would take more than 200 days wages to give them all just a taste, but because he was willing to share what little he had, 5,000 men were fed – perhaps 15,000-20,000 total if women and children were included! God can do much with our little when we surrender/give it to Him for His service!

12 baskets of food were left over!

Like this young light – the lad with a lunch – you may not always be recognized, appreciated, or lauded by others for your efforts. But that shouldn’t stop you from appreciating the benefits of a simple diet, or giving your all to Jesus, the Bread of Life”. If you did, how many could be “feed” the truth about the Savior?

It’s a remarkable statement that Jesus knew what he would do God has a plan for you too, a hope filled plan … if you’re willing to call on Him and pray to Him – He will listen! But you must be willing to search for Him with your whole heart!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJ  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Here are some traits of this young light:

• Young
• Humble
• Unselfish and Sharing
• Trusting
• Jesus had a plan, He could do miracles because of him

4) Josiah

2 Ki. 22:1-2 NKJ “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. ² And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” 

Both Josiah’s father, Amon, and grandfather, Manasseh, were evil kings (2 Kings 21:20-21). By God’s grace, he that lack of spiritual guidance from them. And at age 8, he became king of Israel! You may recall Jesus’ words “and a little child shall lead them”? Because Josiah chose to please God, doing what was right in His sight, God blessed him in leading Israel (Judah) in much needed revival and reformation. Josiah had some good counselors helping him so that he was a no compromise young light!

You can be too, regardless of your upbringing or the lack of a spiritual influence at home. Commit yourself to pleasing God, and then learn from Scripture what pleases Him! Don’t deviate, regardless of what others say or do. And don’t worry about your youth or lack of experience, simply find and choose to listen to good spiritual mentors and role models.

Here are some traits of this young light:

• Young
• Faithful, Dedicated despite his home life
• Listened to good spiritual counsel
• Uncompromising, Un-wavering
• Brought needed Revival/Reformation to Israel

Today we looked at 4 Bible Youth; 4 young lights who were
faithful lights inspite of their young age! And they, and their efforts, were blessed by God.

But than can be, should be, are more than 4!

Notice this statement written years ago about young lights …

“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!”

Education, 271

Appeal: Today, Revival & Reformation are still needed in the church. My young friends (of any age), God is still looking for a generation that truly puts Him first in all aspects of their lives. A generation who’s first and foremost goal is true discipleship including finishing the work of sharing the eternal gospel with a lost world. Will you choose to be that generation; God’s young lights? If so, you will see wondrous works and miracles that He will do through and because of you! 

Let’s pray: Benediction:  Father, today bless each precious soul that choose to be your young light. You will help and magnify that light to shine before mankind like never before, for one purpose, to glorify You! In Jesus name, Amen.

Matthew 5:14-16  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”