4/27/13- The Young Leading

¹³ Then a certain prophet came up to King Ahab of Israel and said, “Thus says the Lord, Have you seen all this great multitude? Look, I will give it into your hand today; and you shall know that I am the Lord.” ¹⁴ Ahab said, “By whom?” He said, “Thus says the Lord, By the young men who serve the district governors.” Then he said, “Who shall begin the battle?” He answered, “You.” ¹⁵ Then he mustered the young men who served the district governors, two hundred thirty-two; after them he mustered all the people of Israel, seven thousand...¹⁹ But these had already come out of the city: the young men who served the district governors, and the army that followed them. ²⁰ Each killed his man; the Arameans fled and Israel pursued them, but King Ben-hadad of Aram escaped on a horse with the cavalry. ²¹ The king of Israel went out, attacked the horses and chariots, and defeated the Arameans with a great slaughter. (1 Kings 20)

Thoughts: In this passage God chose the young to lead the people of God out of a hopeless, surrounded-and- out-numbered situation.  The young had hope perhaps when others were more skeptical and in their secular realism had left God out of the equation.
    Historically young people have led in revivals.  For example- Gideon in the time of the judges; Daniel in the exile; Jesus himself was in his early 30s.  In America the young led in the Second Great Awakening- from Yale; The YMCA  (Young Men's Christian Association) was just that as it led in the missions revival in the early 1900s in America.  The young veterans returning from WWII led in a huge unchartered revival in the church.  Even after Operation Desert Storm, the young veterans brought back story after story of God's blessing and there was a boost to the church.
    Today, the young who believe need to step up and lead as the young men in   Ahab and Elijah's day did.  Too many staid and tired professors are stuck in their skepticism and unbelief that has led us to little energy and hope.  Christian young people can make a huge difference. 
    4/28 is Youth Sunday at Lake Murray Presbyterian.  I have seen the sermons and am excited about what we will hear. Pray for our young people as they lead us.  

Prayer: Lord, do it again in our time.  Let the young people lead us into more hope and enthrusiasm for you.  

(Youth graduating high school seniors four years ago when they were confirmed).