Friday, January 27, 2017

Num 4:39 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.




From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old” – This statement appears 7 times in Numbers chapter 4. This age was specifically fixed as the full maturity of bodily energy peak at this age to perform the laborious duties assigned them in the wilderness, as well as of mental activity to assist in the management of the sacred services. At thirty years of age his body is at his full strength, and when fifty it begins to decline. Christ began His ministry at the age of thirty (Luke 3:23).

In David’s time and afterwards, the age of the Levites’ service was reduced to twenty years old (1 Chronicles 23:24). One reason could be the laborious work of carrying the vessels and the Tabernacle was no longer needed as when they were wandering in the wilderness and therefore, the younger men could be enrolled in the service earlier.

The age from thirty to fifty is the prime season of man's life for business. What are our young men from age thirty to fifty most concerned and busy themselves with? There are three:
1.      Building their career.
2.      Finding a wife.
3.      Raising a family.

We have many teenage boys who are faithful and active. But what happen when they reach thirty? Some are no longer faithful. Some are still with us but are not active in the church. Many have started a family, but they are not bringing their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). They are too busy with their career and ensuring their children excel in their secular education. Family and work have replaced spiritual growth.

What is the result when their own children grow up as young adults? They become unfaithful. Trust me; look around for yourself: it is like father, like son.

The service of God should be done when we are in the most active frame. Those who said they will become active when their children have grown up never did! It came too late and at a huge price of their own faith and the faith of their family.

Timothy, Titus, John Mark, and the apostles, were young men when they began to follow Jesus and serve Him. Paul told young Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Young men and women, it is good to excel in your career and be concerned with your family. You are more blessed than the ninety percent population of this world when you have a job, a good income, a loving family, a house of your own, a bank account, and good health. Remember, you don’t have them if God has not blessed you: “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth,” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

James wrote: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,” (James 1:17). What you have are God’s blessings to you. God gave them to you; what have you given to God? God demands your service in return: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Young men and women, serve God while you are young and fit. Do not be distracted by the things of this world. Success can be a blessing or a cursing; it depends on you. It is a blessing, if it resulted in your gratitude to God and faithfulness to Him. It becomes a curse if it resulted in you becoming entangled with it and becoming unfaithful to God. Therefore, choose blessing because the result is eternal life: “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:8).

Young men and women: “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). Yes, serve the Lord; it has a greater reward!

Jimmy Lau
Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

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