SEEKING GOD EARLY IN LIFE

I suppose we have all heard the words “the early bird catches the worm” and many other sayings in relation to planning and acting early. Quite often I hear people talk about making early investments and how beneficial it is. If you’ve ever been a student then you understand the importance of studying prior to the exams. Farmers will also tell you how important it is to prepare the land before the rains. Even though the world acknowledges and applies this concept, the Bible also has a lot to say about early decision making. Today we ask ourselves whether it is necessary for us to seek God early in life? Does the Bible even address this matter? And if so, then what does it have to say?

How early in life?

Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This portion of scripture is known by most people, but which is the way that this child should go? It is in the way of the LORD. We know this for sure by looking at

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 I love how the Amplified version puts it; “…but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the LORD”.  What is this instruction of the LORD? It is God’s Word. It is therefore evident that we ought to know and seek God in our childhood. This upbringing in early knowledge of God is so valuable as we see in 2 Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:14,15 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Satan knows this and he has schemed to introduce ungodly values and doctrines to the young children. This he has managed by infiltration, from the animations that our young children spend hours watching on cable to what they are taught in schools and also through the influence they are exposed to from their immediate surrounding. And now we see all these unbiblical views of sexuality being championed by our leaders and laws being enacted to support these evils which God condemns; we’ve heard of the LGBT movement, but now satan is targeting children. When you hear of the pushing of laws in support of pedophilia and introduction of talks about transgender in schools to children as early as kindergarten in countries like Canada where the government can take your child away if you do not allow them to transition to a different sex when they feel like, then we clearly know the master mind and how evil the times are. The Bible has this to say concerning these last days:

2 Timothy 3:13: But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

The scriptures are also clear concerning our sexual conduct;

Leviticus 18:22: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

This is another broad topic that I will not tackle today, but my intention is to highlight some of the schemes the devil is using to target the young.

Why early in life?

i.                    The devil

We have an enemy. One who seeks to destroy us.

1 Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

But the righteous one need not be afraid: see Psalms 91 and 112

ii.                  Our hearts

Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

We definitely can’t trust our heart’s desires because they are wicked. We can’t choose that which is right before God without the power of His Spirit. And even when we try to do good and emulate righteousness, we are told all our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)

iii.                Our inclination to sinning

In the beginning, man was made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26,27).When man fell into sin, we were brought into this world carrying Adam’s image and likeness (the fallen man). See Genesis 5:3

Gen 5:3: And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.

We by nature have a natural weakness towards sin/temptation. If a person doesn’t know how to tap into the power source of God’s Spirit to overcome the cause of the sinful nature, man is going to do what their nature calls them to do.

iv.                Our days

Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You [in Your control], And You have made his limits so he cannot pass [his allotted time].

Who knows the number of days that God Has set for his life on earth? Our lives are likened to the grass of the field. No wonder the psalmist requested that we be taught to number our days (psalms 90:12 ; psalms 39:4,5) and since we know not when we’ll meet our death, isn’t it wise to get right with the One who will judge all men in accordance to their deeds?

 Eccl 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

How does God see the youth?

Psalms 127:3,4  Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. ⁴ As arrowsare in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

In the mind of God, children are a heritage and as arrows. An arrow is not a defense weapon but an attack weapon. God looks at the youth as instruments in His hands that by His grace if they are molded and properly fashioned, they are His attack instruments against the kingdom of satan. For this reason, they become satan’s number one target.

Can the youth lead righteous lives?

Psalms 119:9-11 ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].¹⁰ With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. ¹¹ Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

This portion of scripture says it all. Therefore;

Eccl 12:1 Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”. Shalom.