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With the Younger Members of God’s Family, May 13
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil
days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no
pleasure in them.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
.
Every blessing the Father has provided for those of more mature experi-
ence has been provided for children and youth through Jesus Christ. When
the Lord sees the youth studying the life and lessons of Christ, He gives His
angels charge over them, to keep them in all their ways, as He gave His angels
charge over Jesus, His beloved Son. The angels attended Jesus when He
lived upon earth under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit, doing His heavenly
Father’s will, that He might give a correct sample of character, that might be
an example to children and youth. He desired that, in every action of their
lives, they should do those things of which God could approve. He knew that
every good work, every deed of kindness, every act of obedience to father
and mother, would be registered in the books of heaven.
Those who honor their parents would reap a reward in the fulfillment of
the promise that they should live long upon the land which the Lord their God
giveth them. Children are to continue in well-doing, praying that through the
merits of Jesus, the Lord will give them His grace, His mind, and His beauty
of character. God has withheld no blessing that is necessary for shaping the
character of children and youth after the divine pattern given them in the
youth of Jesus. They are to ask for the graces of His character, in simple,
trusting faith, and in the name of Jesus, just as a son asks a favor of his earthly
parent.
Dear children and youth, you need a new heart. Ask God for this. He
says, “A new heart also will I give you” (
Ezekiel 36:26
). When you have
asked according to His will, doubt not that you will receive; for whatever
God has promised, He will fulfill. If you come with true contrition of soul,
you need not feel that you are at all presumptuous in asking for what God
has promised. Presumption is asking for things to gratify selfish inclination;
for human enjoyment in earthly things. But when you ask for the spiritual
blessings you so much need in order that you may perfect a character after
Christ’s likeness, the Lord assures you that you are asking according to a
promise that will be verified.—
The Youth’s Instructor, August 23, 1894
.
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