Youthful Arrows
As arrows in the hand of a mighty man...
, by Emmanuel Higgins
What’s some of the blessings of being a young person? I’m sure those of you who are older can recall those days of energetic youthfulness! Yes, God has given young people special strength and vitality.
The Bible has a wonderful illustration in Psalms 127, showing us how powerful young people can be.
“As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.” – Psalms 127:4
What a fitting symbol for youth! Arrows can cover a long distance, flying very quickly to hit the mark. Yes, the youth are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.
Well, at least they should be.
Think about it, what good would the arrow be without the bow?
The bow gives steadiness and direction to the arrow. And gives the push to send that arrow flying in the right direction. What if the mighty man tried to throw the arrow with no bow? The arrow would have little hope of ever reaching the target.
And what about the mighty man? Indeed a bow and arrow without the mighty man would be useless.
If youth are the arrows, what could the bow and the mighty man represent?
What would give direction, steadiness and a push in the right direction for youth? Yes! I’m sure you’ve guessed it. The older people with more experience, and especially our parents, are like the bow. They give us guidance, and help us aim in the right direction. They provide support and give us that drive to speed on the right course.
And who, should ultimately be guiding the bow and arrows? Yes, the mighty man is none other than Jesus Christ. He is the one who should be guiding the bow and the arrows.
With this three-fold union, how quickly would God’s work advance! How quickly would an army of youth, working with the older generations and guided by Jesus, carry the message of salvation to the world!
But what do we see happening today? Youth are straining to break away from parental restraint. The false idea of a ‘generation gap’ has done its leavening work to separate the youth from their older friends.
And Satan is seeking to separate the older generations from Christ, and instead engross their attention with a fast-paced lifestyle of long work hours and stimulating entertainments at home.
And we wonder why the work of God languishes, why youth are disinterested in eternal things, why the world has such a fascination to them?
If you are a young person reading this, I would encourage you to connect yourself with a strong bow, this will save you from many mistakes and get you flying in the right direction.
And for all of us, old or young, let’s seek to connect ourselves with that mighty man, Jesus Christ!
13 Comment(s)
Jessica Epaina 5 years ago - August 19, 2019 at 11:14 am
Thank you..GOD bless the Ministry
Jessica Epaina 5 years ago - August 19, 2019 at 11:13 am
at least it broadens my understanding of the massage for youths and children in Psalm 127:1-4
Rabbi Mordechai 11 years ago - January 27, 2014 at 11:54 am
The rabbi's give a number of explanations of this verse. One famous explanation is from Rabbi Elijah of Vilna, the Vilna Gaon, that just as an archer has a limited number of arrows and once shot they don't come back, so too youth doesn't return and it's a finite amount of time. The message is to make each arrow (each day) count.
Emmanuel 12 years ago - June 10, 2013 at 6:19 am
Hello Ella,
What a tragedy! I pray that God will give you the right words to encourage your students, that will lead them to Jesus.
May god bless your work.
Ella Peoples 12 years ago - June 8, 2013 at 12:40 am
This is truly a blessing to happen upon this, I am attending a funeral of one of my former students tomorrow. He died on his 18th Birthday. When I spoke at his vigil two days ago I told the children to keep God in their lives, but when I got home I thought I should have told them to seek out someone who they can spiritually hook up with that can help them grow in Christ. After reading this today I have gotten confirmation that this is the message that I must confer to them on tomorrow. God Bless You and Thank you for allowing the Holy spirit to use you to confirm his word.
Portia 12 years ago - May 22, 2013 at 1:01 am
thanks for de wonderful message i have learned a lot as a youth worker
Albert Dichoso 12 years ago - April 26, 2013 at 2:18 pm
What a wonderful words of inspiration. May God continue bless you as you inspire people's lives.
Tracy 12 years ago - January 12, 2013 at 1:28 am
well said, I thank you for the word this morning. i received a great understanding. God Bless You!
Bibi Rajan 12 years ago - December 19, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Well well said dear !! God bless !!
Steve Day 12 years ago - December 7, 2012 at 2:35 am
Very good Emmanuel. I appreciate your desire for unity and finishing the work.
God bless
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Julie 12 years ago - October 25, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Thank you so much for the encouragement!!!!!
Joel 12 years ago - October 21, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for that gem mate, I love it!
Antoinette 12 years ago - October 21, 2012 at 11:04 am
What a refreshing new perspective on that verse - I never saw it that way before, and how true! Thank you :)