Jul 19 – Where Is the Young Man?

“The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?” (Genesis 37:30)

As time passes, childhood gives way to youth, youth to adulthood, and adulthood to old age. Among these stages of life, youth is often the most vibrant and formative season.

Young people are sought after by everyone—from governments to various organizations. Sadly, many seek to influence them for selfish purposes. Satan, too, seeks to capture young lives early and lead them toward destruction.

Consider the many ways he works. Today, there are those who lure students into harmful addictions by offering drugs and other intoxicants, hoping to create lifelong dependency and profit from their ruin. As a result, many young people become enslaved to drugs, alcohol, smoking, and other destructive habits even before reaching adulthood. How can the Lord remain indifferent to such things? His heart is deeply moved for the younger generation.

When Joseph was a young man, his brothers threw him into a pit and later sold him to Midianite traders on their way to Egypt. Reuben, Joseph’s eldest brother, was unaware of what had happened. When he returned to the pit and found Joseph missing, he cried out: “The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?” (Genesis 37:30,

God has a special love for young people. The Lord declares: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” (Hosea 11:1)

Just as God desired to bring Israel out of Egypt, He desires to rescue young people today from every form of bondage—whether it be sinful habits, worldly influences, addictions, or spiritual darkness.

We read in the Gospels about a young boy who was tormented by an evil spirit. His father brought him to Jesus and pleaded: “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.” (Matthew 17:15)

Moved with compassion, Jesus rebuked the demon, and it immediately left the boy. At that very moment, he was completely healed.

Children of God, dedicate the young people in your family to the Lord. Lead them to Christ. Pray for them earnestly. The same Savior who welcomed, embraced, and blessed the young people who came to Him during His earthly ministry is still willing to bless and preserve them today.

Let us pray that our sons and daughters will grow in the fear of God, walk in His ways, and fulfill His purpose for their lives.

Verse for further meditation: “We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.” (Exodus 10:9)