As the Day Begins
“O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” — Psalm 71:17
The writer of Psalm 71 looks backward with gratitude and forward with continued dependence. God had been his Teacher from youth, and the lessons learned in earlier years had become a testimony in later life. The Hebrew verb translated “taught,” limmadta, suggests more than receiving information. It describes training that shapes a person through repeated instruction and experience. The psalmist did not merely learn facts about God; he learned to recognize God’s faithfulness through the changing seasons of life.
This is the calling of every generation of believers. Young people need more than Christian entertainment, emotional excitement, or occasional religious activity. They need the living Christ, the trustworthy Scriptures, and the habits of prayer, worship, obedience, service, and repentance. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Christ does not invite us to redesign discipleship around our preferences; He invites us to surrender our preferences and follow Him. The church serves its young people best when it loves them enough to teach them a faith capable of enduring temptation, disappointment, sacrifice, and change.
Triune Prayer
The Father, I thank You for being my Teacher through every season of life. You have instructed me through Scripture, corrected me through experience, and surrounded me with believers whose faith has strengthened mine. Forgive me when I seek comfort without discipline or blessing without obedience. Teach me to receive Your Word with humility and to demonstrate Your faithfulness to those who are younger than I am. May my life declare Your wondrous works.
The Son, I thank You for calling me to follow rather than merely admire You. You did not avoid the cross, and You have not promised me a life without sacrifice. Give me courage to deny myself when my desires compete with Your will. Keep my faith from becoming shallow, convenient, or dependent upon constant excitement. Help me walk closely with You today so that others may see not merely my religious activity but Your character developing within me.
The Holy Spirit, awaken within me a hunger for spiritual maturity. Strengthen me to pray when I feel distracted, study when I feel hurried, serve when I feel tired, and obey when obedience is costly. Give wisdom to parents, pastors, teachers, and churches as they guide young believers. Help us offer them more than amusement; help us show them the joy, stability, freedom, and strength found in a disciplined life with Christ.
Thought for the Day
I will practice one spiritual discipline today—prayer, Scripture reading, service, confession, or worship—not to earn God’s love, but to make room for His truth to shape my life.
God began teaching the psalmist in his youth and continued shaping him throughout his years. What God teaches us today can become the testimony that strengthens someone tomorrow.
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I have been schooled by God since my youth amd the lessons are still interesting!
I know. It is like visiting old friends and finding a new one. Keep doing what you are doing. Michael