Press the arrow to listen to Hillsong United sing “Take it All” as you read today’s devotion on future young leaders.

Scripture
Then I saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of mighty ocean waves or the rolling of loud thunder. It was like the sound of many harpists playing together.

This great choir sang a wonderful new song in front of the throne of God and before the four living beings and the twenty-four elders. No one could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. They have told no lies; they are without blame. Revelation 14:1-5

Observation
Many suppose that as the world continually decomposes morally that there is little hope for the youth of today. Purity and innocence are a novelty. I heard a counsellor say just this past week, that she estimated 95% of Christian men are involved with porn to some degree. That shocked even me, and I thought I was hardened to reality. It would seem that the last generations before the return of Christ, even among Christians, will be the worst.

But the book of Revelation gives a more hopeful picture, for it seems God will save his best until last. In the inky blackness of the most debauch days on planet earth, he will select for himself a band unlike any around them. They are called the “144,000″. There is so much speculation about the number, but the emphasis in the passage is on their character.

First, they sing a wonderful new song with the sound of many harpists.
Second, they are sexually pure.
Third, they follow Jesus in everything.
Fourth, they speak the truth and do not lie.
Fifth, they are pure in intention.

The best will be saved until last. These select young leaders exist not because they are good, but because God desires to be glorified. He calls them out of the dark generation to serve him and so to give himself glory.

Application
This passage should give us hope that no matter how dark the moral climate may be that God will still be glorified from human lives, especially the young. The future is clear: the world is going to go from bad to worse, but the church will be shine better than ever. There is in this passage a call that I must make to the next generation of leaders to come out from the age around us and to embrace the call that Jesus has.

Prayer
Father, may it start here, today, at this table, where I am surrounded with so many young leaders. May they become those called out of darkness into your glorious light. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Aaron Shust sing “Give Me Words to Speak” while you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
Jesse’s first son was Eliab, his second was Abinadab, his third was Shimea, his fourth was Nethanel, his fifth was Raddai, his sixth was Ozem, and his seventh was David. 2 Chronicles 2:13-15

Observation
Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon and John all had one thing in common: they were the youngest in their families. Even the Apostle Paul was something of the last born among the disciples. It wasn’t kosher for God to do much with the youngest, that was legally left to the eldest brother. But occasionally, when God wants to do something unique, he starts at the bottom.

So many expectations lay at the feet of the oldest child–from getting teeth, to losing them, from first steps to first days of school–everything must be done first and best. The other children all take their place and fit well into the family norm.

Just when life becomes predictable in comes the youngest child. He frustrates the oldest with his carefree jaunt through life. He colors outside the lines and marches to a different drummer. Occasionally this tag-a-long child catches the fancy of God and miracles happen.

Why does it surprise us when God behaves like God? Sovereignty means that God is full of surprises. Had it been up to the nitpickers it would have been King Eliab. Doesn’t that sound safe and boring! King David was a shocker at the time, but God liked it so much he had it written as the last human name mentioned in the Bible. God is unpredictable.

Application
If a man of God could be made of the baby of the family, then there is hope that God can use any of our lives for things unexpected. We should never let the yawning predictability of life keep us from the extraordinary. The Lord who led nations with little brothers has surprises in store for our days as well.

Prayer
Father, take my life and do something interesting. Amen.

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. Read more of their story.

Scripture

“I have singled [Abraham] out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” Genesis 18:19

“So Lot rushed out to tell his daughter’s fiances, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.” Genesis 19:14

Observation

I am journaling today with a friend. He opened his journal and pulled from it a card written by his son. It was a moving tribute to a man who has invested not just time camping, hunting, and fishing with his son but also given him the indelible example of a man of God. Of all of his life possessions I would suspect that card would be one of his most valued, for what greater thing can a man leave behind him than a son to follow the Lord as he has?

Abraham’s name is a household word today not for the great pyramids he built or the wealth he had. He is etched into history because of the son he raised to fear the Lord. All history has been changed through that one boy. Abraham was “singled out” to direct his son. Fathering was not to be a passive thing to leave his boy to stumble into life to make it up anyway that he liked. Abraham was to take authority to make the fear of God grow deep in his son’s heart. God has given fathers authority that is often pushed aside as dad picks up the remote and flicks through the channels. A dad’s authority is time, attention, corrective words, and powerful example. When used well fathering makes an eternal difference.

Lot’s name, however, is not a household word today. We remember only his wife who couldn’t let go of the good life to follow after God and became a statue in the desert. When the moment of emergency decision came, the sons-in-law in his household only laughed at Lot. Were they used to the old man joking around about everything in life? Was Lot a man who was afraid to be serious about the significant? Obviously so. Lot could not marshall his family out the front door in a time of disaster, so poor was his leadership at home. His story ends dismally with more compromise, drunkenness and incest.

Application

God has given to me a responsibility for my sons to get them started in the groove God has for their lives. Like an old vinyl record, there is a track God has chosen for them. My job is to place the needle in the right place so that their life-song can play for the Lord. I can’t be afraid of that responsibility. Fun is important in my home, but if my sons are to amount to anything they need to know what is worth being serious about.

Prayer Father, make me a better dad today. Amen.