“Jesus Christ Can …,” For the Strength of Youth, Sept. 2022.
Come, Follow Me
Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Isaiah
Jesus Christ Can …
Truths written thousands of years ago teach you what the Lord can do for you today.
Finisher of Faith, by J. Alan Barrett
There is no expiration date on truth from God. This is because it is knowledge “of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13).
Truths written thousands of years ago in the Old Testament are still true now. And some of them help you to see what the Lord can do for you today. Here are a few such truths from the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah (which you’ll be studying this month). They show you that Jesus Christ can …
Direct Your Paths
At times, we all feel confused, lost, or in need of guidance. If you give the Lord your full trust, humility, and gratitude, “he shall direct thy paths” (see Proverbs 3:5–6).
If you keep His commandments, He “leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go” and makes “thy peace … as a river” (Isaiah 48:17–18).
Meeting the Savior, by Jen Tolman
Give You Perspective
The attitudes and lifestyles in the world may seem cool or enjoyable. But the teachings of Jesus Christ can help you see how empty and fleeting the ways of the world are.
Everything “done under the sun … is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). In other words, the world’s way brings frustration. It’s like chasing after the wind and trying to catch it. Happiness comes when we give respect and reverence to God and keep His commandments (see Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Many people in the world “call evil good, and good evil; … put darkness for light, and light for darkness; … put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). But the Lord shows us the truth. By following His way and His word, we can “go out with joy, and be led forth with peace” (see Isaiah 55:8–12).
(See also Isaiah 40:6–8; 51:7–8.)
Forgive Your Sins
All of us make mistakes. All of us have sinned. But if we repent and keep striving to keep God’s commandments, Jesus Christ can make us clean and whole again. “He will have mercy upon [us]; … for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). He has said:
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions … and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25).
Photograph by Mark Mabry
Strengthen You
We all feel weak or weary sometimes. Jesus Christ can give you strength. “In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4). If you are humble and trust in Him, He can help you resist temptation, make hard decisions, or just keep on going in spite of difficulties. He has said:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:10).
Never Forget You
The Savior Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for you because He loves our Heavenly Father—and because He loves you. His sacrifice made it possible for you to be resurrected and have a chance to become like Heavenly Father. He will never forsake you or forget you. He has said:
“Can a woman forget her sucking child … ? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15–16).
Since He has done so much for us and will never forget us, we, too, should strive to “always remember Him” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79).