Today’s readings.. (Judges 17,18), (Isaiah 40), (1 John 1,2)

It is being said that this is a world for young people:  meaning that the young people are growing up in a much different world and are being trained to cope with and make use of all the technological wonders of the 21^st Century.  Never before has the world changed so much in one generation.  But most young people are living for the here and now.  The attitude of most is – what experience is it possible to have this month, this year – and maybe, next year?   We read in the book of Judges today of those living with the thought of what they could achieve now when “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” [17 v.6] with the spirit that might was right as illustrated in Ch. 18 v.21-26. 

The reading in Isaiah 40 was such a contrast!  But there was one part that wasn’t, v.6-8, where we read, “All flesh is grass and all its beauty is like the flower of the field,  The grass withers, the flower fades  when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.”  Then in v. 30 are words which particularly caught our eyes, “even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted” Why is this?  Because their “way is hidden from the LORD”, they do not want to live in the sight of God, many are not even sure there is a God! Some do not want to believe he exists!!

But the wonderfully positive things that are written in this chapter arrested our attention – that God “gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength … they that wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” [v.29,31]  

When will this happen?  Verse 10 & 11 tell us, “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm (Jesus) rules for him; and his recompense is before him.  He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”   In one sense we are all young in the sight of God so we finish our thoughts with an apt quote from today’s N.T. reading, “little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” [1 John 2 v.28]