Text: I Kings 2 (key verse: 3)
“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.”
As King David is about to exit the scene, he calls his son Solomon. He gives his last charge, or challenge, to his son. I imagine the conversation like this, if it were today. “Now son, I’m about to die, and I want you to keep going. I charge you to be strong. I challenge you to be a man. But not only do I charge you in this, but I also challenge you to keep going, to keep charging. When others quit, keep the charge. While others are abandoning their post, keep the charge. Keep it alive; keep it going. While others play, keep the charge. While others are playing footsies with the world, keep the charge. While others surrender to the call of compromise, keep the charge. When others are abandoning old-time religion, keep the charge. While others do away with old-fashioned, red hot preaching, keep it hot, and keep on charging!” David was instructing Solomon to keep going not only for himself, but also for the whole kingdom. Likewise, we must keep going with what God has given us.
What was King David’s last challenge to his son?
1. (v.2) Be strong, show yourself a man.
– Grow up, mature, get serious. You’re in the King’s business.
– Show yourself a man. (Not the king’s son, not a future king, not a male, but a man)
2. (v.3) Keep His ways. Walk in His ways.
– Follow God.
– Do right.
3. (v.3) Keep His Word.
– Stay true to the Word of God.
– Honor and Obey it.
4. (v.3) Keep His Testimonies known. Keep them alive.
– Keep His works, goodness, and grace alive.
– Tell others.
We must train the next generation. If we train them right, our young people will change, sustain, and help our churches to reach new heights.
Youth pastors and youth workers, we have a huge responsibility, not just in reaching young people, but also in training them. They are the lifeblood of our churches. What we teach and train them concerning the Word of God, doctrine, and the work of God will die if we do not teach and train them right. We need to pass these things on to the next generation. It is our job to make sure these do not end with us.
Whatever biblical principle it may be, we must teach it and teach it right. Not all may pick it up and run with it, but the Bible promises that His Word will not return void (Isa. 55:11). We must train others in the way that they SHOULD go and “when they are old they will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). It will be ingrained in them. No matter how far they’ve gone or how backslidden they have become, the Word of God will still speak. We must teach and preach the Bible and nothing but the Bible. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also ” (II Tim 2:2).
What happens when we keep the charge?
1. (v.3) That thou mayest prosper.
2. (v.4) That thou prosper continually.
3. (v.4) That your legacy continues.
It will be our young people that will hold the line and keep it going. It’s up to us to train them right. Don’t let the Bible and the principles we preach and practice die with you. Keep the charge in the youth department and encourage them to do likewise.
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Junar Obstaculo, Men’s Dorm Supervisor
Bro. Obstaculo grew up in Los Angeles and was saved as a teenager. He moved to the area in 2008 to attend Golden State Baptist College, where he graduated in 2010. He has a heart to see the next generation serve God. He has been working with teens for almost 20 years and has worked full-time as Dorm Supervisor since 2017.
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