Men of Encouragement | Men's Devotionalಮಾದರಿ

A Friend to the Next Generation

In all the encouragement we are called to give, I think there is one task that is the most important:

Encourage the next generation.

I have been both a youth pastor and a kids’ pastor. I have worked with high-risk youth and also those who know where they want to go in life.

However, one thing I have learned is that no matter where they come from, each kid needs someone in their corner to encourage them as they navigate the world around them.

Moses is an incredible example of this. Due to a time of disobedience, he is told that he will not enter the Promised Land when Israel steps into it.

But what is he called to do?

God says to him, “But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it,” (Deuteronomy 1:38 NIV, emphasis added).

Moses was called to ensure that the next leader, Joshua, had all he needed to take over the role and lead the people. And Moses did it to the best of his ability.

To be a man of encouragement is to leave a legacy for the next generation to follow.

That means that we, as men, need to find ways to invest in young people.

But how do we do that?

There are the obvious ones, such as volunteering as a kids’ or youth leader at your church or connecting with a local youth drop-in centre.

But maybe there’s one closer to you as you invest in and encourage your own kids, no matter how old they are.

Knowing that you will not enter the “Promised Land” that they will, are you filling them with the wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement they need to face the challenges ahead?

I’m sure Joshua had a lot of questions and doubts about his future. But one thing I do know is that when Moses sent him out into battle, Joshua knew that he had his leader’s full support.

And that gave him the confidence to be the leader he needed to be.

So, be a man of encouragement to those around you. But don’t forget to invest in today's youth, as they will be tomorrow's leaders.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the next generation of leaders in Your Kingdom. Help me see how I can encourage them to step up and be who You call them to be. Amen.

Reflection: How can you encourage and invest in the next generation? Find a way to connect and build into those relationships in a way that will give them all they need to be the leaders they will need to be.

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