How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
--Psalm 119:9
I read not long ago that only 49 percent of college freshmen in America have a thought-out philosophy of life. That’s nearly half of the young people entering our universities today who don’t have a direction. They’re simply living day-to-day and not giving a thought as to what’s really important.
But the problem is not the lack of direction among students – it’s the lack of direction among Christians. The ambiguous nature of many churchgoers’ beliefs has trickled down to the next generation, so much so that these young people have nothing they’re really living for. They’re simply mimicking what they’ve observed.
As believers, we have to know what we believe. We can’t go around preaching platitudes and morals, all the while being ignorant of the Word of God. We have to build our convictions on what God has told us, and we have to commit ourselves fully to the cause of Christ so we’ll stand the tests of faith that come our way.
The next generation’s best hope of gaining a godly perspective in life is this generation’s willingness to show them their purpose. So instead of shaking your head at the younger generation today, live for Christ and teach them to do the same. Give them a holy purpose to pursue!
GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION A GODLY PURPOSE IN LIFE BY PURSUING GODLINESS YOURSELF AND PASSING IT ON.
Today's Devotion
Are You Ready?
Monday, November 25, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.”
Judges 7:5–6
When Gideon sent out the call for men to fight against the Midianites, thousands showed up. God wanted a smaller army so there would not be any question about who really won the victory. First Gideon announced that all those who were scared should go home. While that reduced the number somewhat, God said it was still too many. So Gideon led the men to water and watched how they got their drink. Only those who stayed alert, taking water from their hands so they could keep looking around were selected for the final army. Those three hundred who were prepared and ready before the battle started were the ones God chose to bring about His victory.
Every single day of the Christian life is a battle. We have a dedicated and committed enemy who is looking for any opportunity he can to defeat and destroy us. And there are few things more dangerous we can do than to fail to prepare for that conflict. We do not have to wonder if temptations and challenges will come because we know they will. We just have to ensure that we are ready for them when they do. The Scottish preacher James Hastings wrote, “How carefully David prepared to meet Goliath! He chose five smooth stones out of the brook. He did not assume that one would be lying by his hand when he needed it. Never go to the Lord’s work with meager preparation.”
Today's Growth Principle:
Only when we prepare for spiritual battle before it happens are we ready for the victory.
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