Prof. Biju Issac

“As Christ's soldiers do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in His army" - 2 Tim. 2. 4 TLB

I am greatly confirmed that God has a great purpose in the lives of many young people. You can decide your destiny in relation to this with young people, their whole life is ahead of them and their youthful vigor is there to start with. When we see many older people whose lives are barren and unfruitful, we can learn a lesson from their lives. In the Proverbs, it says- "I went by the field of the slothful.... a man devoid of understanding .... and there it was overgrown with thorns, its surface co vered with nettles and its stone wall broken down ..... When 1 saw It I considered well" (Prov. 24:30-32).

It is quite possible that such older people never put God and His Kingdom FIRST, but went after the transient attractions of this world, being slothful toward God.

When we read the Scripture, we see that God started His work in the lives of many young people and some were even teenagers. You don't have to be gray-haired before you are recruited into the army of God. God needs young blooded warriors. It's quite encouraging to see the life of three young people whom God used beyond measure-the life of Joseph, the life of David and the life of Daniel. In all three cases, they were the least expected of others to be warriors for God.

Their lives are listed below for our encouragement and for us to follow.

1. Jospeh - man of vision:
Joseph was a man chosen by God in his young years. God gave him a dream. When he told about that dream to his parents and eleven brothers, they got upset and his brothers were jealous about him. It's always the case that a man God uses would be a man of vision. For God himself would be supporting him in future.

In divine providence, Jospeh was misunderstood and was betrayed by his brothers and was sold to Ishmaelite traders as a slave to be taken to Egypt. He would have been a teenager then. He worked in Potiphar's house a captain of Egyptian army. Since Joseph was handsome Potiphar's wife started casting evil eyes on him, compelled him day after day to have sexual immorality with her. But God was with Joseph. Think of this young blooded warrior of God, away from his parents and brothers, taking a stand of purity before such an immoral woman. He said to her in response - "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against Cod" (Gen. 39:9). What a great need to follow this young man in these last days of permitted sexual orgy and wild parties!

Ask yourself a question: "How would you handle such a situation?" Lot of gospel meetings are conducted by people, who themselves are slaves of "sexual corruption". With eyes full of adultery, no woman can escape their sinful stare (2 Pet. 2:14 TLB). When they promise others liberty, they themselves are slaves to immoral habits (2 Pet. 2:19). Oh, if only they cry to God!

God eventually raised Joseph to a level where he became the prime minister of Egypt and used him to supply food to the famished Israel, during draught and thus sustained God's people.

2. David - man of faith.
David was the youngest son of Jesse, who attended his father's sheep. Some of his brother's were serving the army of Israel under King Saul. But God could never enlist these soldier brothers of David into the `real' army of God. Not even the King of Israel qualified for that. For God looked at their hearts and saw that it was not right. Many believers who look and appear to be `godly' could possibly be out of God's army, for outward appearance is only litter and refuse before God.

Israelites were in battle with Philistines and the leader of Philistine army, a giant named Goliath challenged the armies of Israel single handedly. Knees shook in the camp of Israel. Backslidden king Saul was afraid to proceed. David, the shepherd boy was sent by his father to supply food and provisions to his brothers in the army. When David heard the news about the challenge of Goliath, he couldn't stand that. He said- "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Sam. 17:6). His brothers scolded him and told him to go back home, for they thought that he is fit only to be with the sheep!

But David could not be stopped. He had experienced the hand and support of God in dense forests, in tending his father's flock. When a lion or bear appeared to kill the sheep, David would fight them with the power of God and tear them to pieces. He had such confidence in the faithfulness of God amidst challenges. He literally saw this giant to be another `big' lion. He told King Saul about his heroic deeds in the forest and assured him by the aid of the living God if Israel, he would fight Goliath. Saul could hardly believe it, yet he consented to his request. Listen, a teenager is challenging a giant and is encouraging others, saying - "Let no man's heart fail because of him: your servant will go and fight with this Philistine" (1 Sam.17:32).

How could David so boldly, challenge Goliath? Was it arrogance? It was because of his godly walk and unswerving faith. You can also be an encourager and warrior like that! David slew Goliath and became the King of Israel and won many wars to the glory of God.

3. Daniel - man of purpose
Daniel was Jewish captive brought to Empire Babylon, by King Nebuchadnezzar. Banylonian customs were demonic and Daniel had to take a stand. The King selected a few young Hebrew boys to be trained in the palace affairs and Daniel was chosen.

When food was served to them in accordance to Babylon's culture, it contained forbidden dishes and drinks, according to the Levitical law for Jews. Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating such delicacies (Dan. 1:8). He avoided all meat, for he didn't know whether it was of any forbidden kind for Jews and insisted for vegetarian food. Quite contrary to the young generation of our day, which looks for anything `contrary and exciting' to that which is normal, when it comes to pleasure!

Daniel and his friends looked much stronger and God filled them with His wisdom. Daniel was man of purpose and revelation, for he could interpret many visions. Yet he would affirm, that it was not his wisdom, but that which God gave. He wouldn't take any gifts offered to him after the interpretation of visions, for his eye was not on riches!

He was a man of fasting given himself to much prayer. Even thought he was a busy governor, three times a day he disciplined himself to pray facing toward Jerusalem. Unlike many busy workaholics (like computer professionals and doctors) of our day who are only "few minutes" visitors into God's chamber, Daniel purposed to kneel down. His intercessory prayer paved the way for the exodus of God's people from Babylon to Jerusalem. Unlike many busy workaholics (like computer professioanls and doctors of our day who are only "few minutes" visitors into God's chamber, Daniel purposed to kneel down. His intercessory prayer paved the way for the exoous of God's people from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was an ardent student of God's word. So based on the prophecy, God had given to Jeremiah, he centred his prayer on God's will (Dan. 9:2,3).

God's call for young people:
Remember, God called Joseph, David and Daniel in their early teens and they were faithful to that call. Even the gentile kings accepted ONE COMMON FACTOR in all these three young blooded warriors - they were men in whom, the Spirit of God dwelt. Covet that testimony! In times of crisis, they stood tall by the support of God. Can we find such young people today? May God help each of us to be what He wants us to be.