It is Never Too Early to Serve God
Kids and young people, think about this:
Joash was seven when he became king of Judah. He did an excellent job for many years but, unfortunately, allowed his heart to drift from God, gave in to the pressures of peers, and did not finish well.
Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah, sixteen when he began to seek the Lord, and twenty when he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of false worship. Josiah loved God all his life and did finish well.
Samuel was just a youth when God spoke to him three times. He “did let none of his words fall to the ground.” (1 Samuel 3:19)
Naaman’s wife’s servant was but a ‘little maid’ when, instead of being bitter for being ripped from her home, she directed her master to Elisha, to healing, and to the true God.
Joseph was seventeen when God, through dreams, told him his future. At that age he was sold by his brothers into Egypt and began the process of protecting God’s people there. In his twenties he refused to give in to the temptation offered from his boss’ wife and ended up in prison for it. Today we name our children after him.
Daniel was probably a teenager when he was taken to Babylon and determined not to defile himself with the king’s meat.
Mary was probably a teenager when she was given the honor of being the mother of God’s Son.
As an orphaned youth, Esther learned to honor and obey her cousin as she would a parent. God used her sweet spirit and wisdom to save His people from destruction.
Jeremiah was “but a child” when God called him to be His prophet. (1:6) He faithfully spoke the words of God to a stubborn people for many years and remained true to God to the end.
Timothy was but a youth when he was recommended to follow Paul and serve Christ the rest of his life. He was still an example of the believers many years later.
David was less than twenty when God asked Samuel to anoint him to be the next king of Israel because he was a man after God’s heart. A short time later, still a youth, he accepted the challenge to fight Goliath.
Throughout Scripture, when God was about to do something big, he sent a child. He sent Moses, Samuel, Samson, and He sent His Son Jesus. Perhaps God is wanting to do something big, something life-changing through your life too. How can you prepare yourself so that, if this is true, you are ready? Talk with you parents about this for God has chosen them as your protectors and counselors. Most important, get into the pattern of saying to the Lord, as Samuel did, “Speak, for thy servant heareth.”