Youth

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 4
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Life begins with the heart. “There is no doubt that the heart controls the life.” Barnabas exhorted the young converts at Antioch “that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:2323Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (Acts 11:23)). The wise man exhorted his son in memorable words, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:2323Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)). While a youth, Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” Are you a young believer? The Lord says to you, “My son, give me thine heart.” Have you done so?
Consider the youth David. God rejects Saul for service, saying, “Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God” (1 Sam. 13:1313And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. (1 Samuel 13:13)). Instead, “the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart.” Who was that man? Jesse’s seven oldest sons are presented to the prophet Samuel. None pass the test. Samuel is told, “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” Then Samuel asks Jesse, “Are here all thy children?” He answers, “There remaineth yet the youngest.” “Fetch him.” “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” At the end of David’s life, the Lord could say, “David  ... kept My commandments, and  ... followed Me with all his heart.”