Youth’s Only Hope

When historians write the record of this ninth decade of the twentieth century, they may refer to our times as the decade of dejection. Never within the memory of man has there been so much discomposure and distress in the American nations as during these years of disquiet, when the vaunted pillars of our security and self-composure have collapsed.

This dejection has become contagious. Its infection has spread among the nation’s youth and has clipped the winged hopes of legions of young people. While this age with its endowments under these circumstances stands hopeless and helpless before the increasing perplexities of our multiplied problems, it becomes an imperative obligation of our congregations to proclaim that there is a permanent and abiding source of hope and trust, if we may need the everlasting Rock of Ages. Then alone are we safe amid all the troubles and sins with which we and our children are surrounded.

There are those who can point to a series of disturbing circumstances in their own lives and who may ask, “How can I hope in the face of repeated and increased obstacles?” You must know and understand for those who by grace have sought first of all the kingdom of God and His righteousness, there is a Savior who is able to eliminate the petty issues of their everyday life and endow them with that precious hope that will not be frustrated!

The church has to be careful not to establish a superiority complex nor to create a false sense of confidence which will shatter on the rock of realism, for Christ, and He alone, offers the hope that “maketh not ashamed.” David, for example, has by faith pledged the truth so frequently expressed in the Scripture that they that wait on the Lord shall not hope in vain.

Now, it can be in our daily life, that our youth are anxious for immediate action and intervention, and that they may be disappointed when the fulfilment of their hope is deferred, when the relief or the improvement for which they have yearned, does not make its instantaneous appearance. But the essentially Christian confidence, which only can rest in God for Christ’s sake, no matter how repeatedly ambitions may be thwarted, can find its fulfilment in Christ alone. He works that in the life and in the hearts of His children.

I say spiritual hope because Christianity is no guarantee for hope-fulfilment that deals merely with life’s daily problems. If the church were to promise its young people that all hopes which they and we have entertained in regard, for example, to wealth and recognition, to the plaudits of fame and the pleasures of gain, will be fulfilled, many would say in our dark days, the church is doing her best for us. But, don’t forget, the church holds out no such inducements. Indeed, because it lays an embargo upon many of the most cherished activities, it has met with stern rejection on the part of human beings. Think only of television. Then we can presently ask: Is the church really a watchman?

In general, we will say this: Let us seek for our youth’s welfare with the Word of God in our hand. How can they have a courtship without going the way of the world? The trend is: Everything you wish to do, you can do! But how many have regretted that in their youth, they have taken too much freedom, and have followed the way of the sexual revolution? Let us try to lead our young friend to a happy marriage in the Lord. Next to grace, that is the most blessed thing in this world.

Sometimes, however, ambitions are selfish and self-centered. Frequently they are hostile to spiritual advancement and constitute attraction to the first step that leads away from God. As no intelligent father grants the request of his child for permission to play with sharp steel blades, firearms, or poisonous potions; as no sensible mother would accede to the petulant cries of a young child that demands harmful, irritating food, so, and in a far superior way, the God of heaven and earth knows much better than we ourselves what we must have and must avoid for the full development of our spiritual lives.

As David, trusting in God, witnessed the fulfilment of his high hopes for the defence of the kingdom, so, if the Holy Spirit will teach us, our hope and confidence in the way of true conversion can be refreshing for every soul-struggle intc which you may be plunged. A life near to God gives a blessing, a great blessing amidst all troubles, on our journey to eternity! Then our sins may assail us, but the Lord will take care, according to His own promise where He points out that the hope of salvation is His blessing for those who may learn to bow in simplicity.

Younger and older friends, your weakness and your surrender to sin and temptation may disturb you, but if Christ becomes your Guide then he gives a hope which shall not be taken away.

May the youth of our congregations, and everyone who reads this, realize the only hope for our rising generation, in the midst of God’s judgment on earth and in the churches, is to hearken to the admonition of the apostle Peter: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” May the Lord work in the hearts of our young friends! ?

Rev. A. W. Verhoef is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

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