How refreshing is it to meet a youth with his priorities in order? How inspiring is it to hear a young man who puts God first in his life? Last Sunday night, I am blessed to hear a young man, who is about to enter our Bible college, preach his first sermon outside of his home church. To this elder, hearing him seems to be like that cool shower that breaks the hold of the summer heat. I am told so often that young men must sow their wild seeds for a while before they can settle. The fact is that there are many honorable youth in every walk of life. These are those who seek first the kingdom of Christ

And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested.
(1Ch 4:9-10 ASV Bible)

Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request. (1Ch 4:10 AMP Bible)

Here is a beautiful prayer from a young man with a true design of integrity. He desires no harm to anyone; he requests nothing but good for all; and towards this goal, he seeks and prays to be kept from evil. The Bible says his earnest entreating prayer reveals his character. By seeking first the kingdom of heaven the Bible calls him honorable. There is a famine of principled people in our land; it is even more refreshing to read the lives of our youth who start with faith in God.

Our sincere and most profound longings exhibit our truest selves. To the readers of this hub I ask, “Who are you?” You are what you think and what you feel. You may be better or worse than what you appear. Pray to be kept from evil!

Evil is the blight of the world. It entered Paradise and ends it. Adam meets it face to face, and he withers on the vine before it. The first Adam sins and suffering is born from his sin. Day upon day, age upon age, evil scars the face of every would be Adam. Honor is sacrificed to the gods of this world over and over. No wonder Jabez cries, “Oh that Thou wouldst keep me from evil.”

Nevertheless, honor lives for those who seek first the kingdom of Christ. We should all echo this prayer.

And he (JESUS) went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:35-38 KJV Bible)

The spirit is willing to be honorable but the flesh is weak. Such is the story of so many Christians. The disciples fell asleep in Gethsemane’s Garden! Here Christ is facing his greatest battle with the Evil One, and they could not hold prayer for one hour! The bane of evil scars all beauty from the Second Adam. His hands, His feet, His side, His back, His Head, His beard, and mostly His Heart, which knew only honor, are wounded by this evil. It appears for an hour he also is withering as the first Adam before. However, this Adam maintains his honor even to the death. He alone refuses to bow to sin. He is transfigured from honor to most honorable. His emaciated hands becomes Hands of power and blessing; His nail scarred feet open a path whereby I might walk holy ground; His spear pierced side, from which a river of blood and water flowed, becomes my fountain of faith, hope and love; His scar-striped side becomes my healing; His head with its crown of thorns becomes my helmet of salvation; His face with plucked beard becomes the face of God’s love that I can see; His heart that was broken with tears enables me to love Him because he first loved me.

My spirit is willing, but often my flesh is weak. However, Jesus is my helper! I must learn to claim the promised help. I am most honorable when I seek Him first, and I ask as Jabez did. Our battle is a fight to the finish! If I grasp God’s hand and assert His grace hourly, I shall win. I pray, “that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil,” AMEN