by David Scott Robertson
"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign [he was 16 years old at this time] while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year [at this point he was 20 years old], he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images…he broke down the altars of the Baals…" (2 Chronicles 34:1-4)
And the Bible goes on to describe in detail the exploits and zeal for the Lord of young king Josiah.
My point and word of encouragement to children and teenagers today is this: God has historically used young people for His purpose and plan. I believe he often does this because their faith is so pure and has not yet been soiled by religion.
God will elevate a young person - an 8-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 20-year-old - to positions of influence, so that He can use them, often mightily. You don't have to wait to grow up to become a man or woman of God to be used powerfully by the Lord - you're already there; right now, today.
Young person, you might say, well, "I'm not a king" or "I'm not a queen", or "I'm not the president" or "I'm not a pastor" or "I'm not a whatever...."
That's OK! God is not looking for a person with a position to make an impact on the world, he's looking for a young man or a young woman who is available to stand up for Jesus Christ.
The boy Samuel was groomed to become one of Israel's greatest prophets. The shepherd boy David was used to kill a giant. Jesus Himself, at 12 years old, astonished the teachers of the law because of His wisdom. Even a superficial search of the scriptures would turn up many young people whom God used to advance His cause and kingdom.
If you are reading this and you are twenty years of age or younger, may I challenge you to think outside the box of your paradigm of age limitations? May I suggest that now is the acceptable time for you to seek the Lord and make an impact on your world. Even if you don't yet have a driver's license, still you are the perfect age right now to do exploits for God in your sphere of influence: at your gradeschool, your junior high, or your high school.
I want to share an incredible verse with you about another 8-year-old king. He's found in 2 Chronicles 36:9 - "Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord."
You see, it's NOT the position or the power you possess that makes you acceptable before God. I believe the key is your openness, willingness, and availability before the Lord that makes the difference between you earning the reputation as a good king or an evil king; a wise student or a foolish one; a good communicator for Christ or a secret agent Christian who barely confesses he or she knows Jesus at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to his young protégé Timothy: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Tim 4:12)
When the young person Jeremiah protested to God about being too young to respond to God's call to be His prophet God replied:
"But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." (Jeremiah 1:7-9)
When children or teenagers receive Christ as Savior, they do not get indwelt by a miniature version of the Holy Spirit! No, they receive as much of the miracle of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) as an adult.
The main thing, like Jeremiah experienced, is to allow God to put His words in your mouth. Then regardless of your age you can speak with authority.
When that happens, an 8-year-old, 16-year-old, or 20-year-old can do exploits for God just like young king Josiah did. As a matter of fact, all that is necessary is "to believe," in other words, to exercise faith in Jesus and His power. Then any person, regardless of age, can demonstrate the power of Christ operating through them to the point that the following scripture applies to them:
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18)
DSR
12/2/03