iSpeech

One of the constant occurrences in this generation is the act of looking down on some set of people (most especially the youth); owing to their culture, background, colour, environment, family background and many other reasons. Over time, there has been a negative effect from this act on our young ones and its ripple effect on the whole world at large has not been helpful.

Many parents and guidance are trapped in the web of this attitude, they give preference to a child over other children because of reasons like being academically sound, ability to carry out domestic activities and other innate abilities like being outspoken, bold and strong. Their judgment of a valuable child is based on these parameters.

My message to you today is that, if you are that child or person that people around have neglected because they assume you cannot amount to something in life or because they believe you are worthless, dull, laid back and cannot bring anything to the table; do not worry, remain focused on your set goals for I know you are not valueless. I want you to know that you carry something that your generation is waiting for.  You are the solution to the world problem and all you need to do as youth is to use all the strength within you positively to prove to your world that you are not useless. You carry value!

“I want you to critically study the story of the Egyptian slave boy in the book of 1 Samuel 30vs9-16.

“So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor. Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights. Then David said to him, to whom do you belong, and where are you from? And he said, I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick. We made an invasion of the southern area of the Cherethites, in the territory which belongs to Judah, and of the southern area of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop? So he said, “Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop.”

The boy’s story will be our focus for this message. We are going to learn from this Bible passage what you need in order for you to stand tall as a youth and to also show to the world that you are not valueless. Such that they will see that you have a purpose for your existence and you have what your generation needs. The following is what you must constantly do in order for you to stand out and stand tall:

Do Not Look Down on Yourself

Others may not see value in you just like the master of the Egyptian slave boy did not see any value in the boy, do not make the mistake of buying into that belief that you are valueless. Do not look down on yourself because you are the next thing that the world is waiting for. God has deposited greatness into you, all you need is to work it out by being positive about whatever goal that you have set for yourself. Also ensure you are always on the Lord’s side {1 Samuel 30vs13-15, Judges 6vs11-16}.

Do Not Give Up on Yourself

The truth is, many are times you may be trying to do something good and yet the expected result is not showing forth; that should not be the yardstick for you to give up on yourself or on your goals. Our anchor Bible passage said – the slave boy did not have anything to eat for three days yet, the boy did not give up hope. It is only the losers that quit, do not quit. The fact that you are youth is the more reason you need to press on because in your strength lies your success; do not give up. Continue doing that good thing that you are doing because your life will soon make a breakthrough statement, do not give up as you continue in the direction God is giving you. {Proverbs 20vs29, Matthew 9vs20-22, 1 Samuel 30vs15-16}.

Always Know That You Carry What The World Needs.

The boy had the understanding that he is carrying the information that will turn the situation of the hosts of Israel around, which was why he put himself in the position that showed David that he is carrying what David needed. As a youth, you need to always place yourself where you will have the upper hand over situations, you need to repackage yourself. Whatever you are doing, you need to be at your best and give yourself good packaging because the way you present yourself is the way you will be addressed. {1 Samuel 30vs13-14}.

You Must Learn How to Use What You Have to Your advantage.

The slave boy did not only position himself at the advantaged position but he also used the information at his disposal for his own survival. He used the information for his own profit. God did not deposit so much into your life for fun; He gave you those values for you to profit and make better your life with them. The Bible says, a gift opens the way for the giver and usher him into the presence of the great.

Your greatness and your value are in what you are carrying (your gift, talents, values, skills), working and walking with God can help you to sharpen it brighter. You are a youth; use your gift positively for the glory of God, for the betterment of humanity and for your own blessings. {Proverbs 18vs16, 1 Samuel 30vs5}.

Do Not Lord Over The Weak.

This is a warning to you, do not Lord over the poor (weak) around you. Do not take advantage of people’s weaknesses. If you want to achieve your purpose in life, you must learn how to take care of the weak, the less privileged around you because that was what David and his men did to that slave boy that gave them their expected breakthrough.

Do not maltreat or belittle the less privileged around you because they may have what you need to get to your next stage in life. God dislikes it when you maltreat the poor. {Deuteronomy 15vs7, Psalms 12vs5, Psalms 14vs6, Proverbs 14vs31, 1 Samuel 30vs11-12}.

You Must Embrace God if You Must Achieve Your Purpose in Life.

David did not depend on the strength of his hosts (his Warriors), he had to consult God to know which direction to go. The majority of the youths of this generation are facing the problem of believing too much in their own strength, skills, academic capacity and technical know-how etc. without aligning them with the wisdom that comes from God. You need to know that without God, there is no success or greatness anywhere. Jesus said, without me, ye can do nothing.

That greatness you are looking for can only be found in Jesus Christ, there is no amount of greatness or success that you think you have now that can be compared with the one you will get in and through Jesus Christ; this can only be gotten when you allow Jesus Christ to be the master of your life.

There are many examples in the Bible of youths that surrendered their all to God and in return, their greatness surpassed that of their contemporaries. You are not valueless, you carry something great, and that which you carry can only speak out when you allow Jesus Christ to help you announce it. {John 15vs5-8, Acts 4vs12, Hosea 14vs5-7, Matthew 7vs19, 1 Samuel 30vs6-8}.