Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
(Psa 127:1-5)
If people would raise children as if their lives were our act of praise to the Lord, how very different the world would be! But because of people’s selfishness, children are neglected, abused, abandoned, and sadly, killed through abortion.
Such things must be a slap in the face of The Almighty God and Creator Who gave such a blessing. The reward is a path full of thorns leading to destruction, which seems to be the condition of our nation.
(Pro 22:5) Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
(Pro 10:29) The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Psalm 127 (above) is about total dependence on God in everything everyday. Yet in our nation it appears “everyone does what is right in his own eyes.” When lives that ought to be praises to God are nothing more than mockery, blasphemy, and scorn, nothing but sorrow, slavery, and death can come of it.
I believe we are witnessing the consequences of such selfishness and hateful choices.
Christians should live their lives in a way that praises the Lord and is a testimony of the grace of God through Christ Jesus to all who know us. We should raise our children as if they are songs of praise to God, nurturing them with the kind of discipline that teaches the consequences of foolish choices.
Do you appreciate the gift God has given you in your children?
Are your children’s nursemaids the cartoons, sports shows, video games, or reality shows while you are in another room? (Pro 29:15 b) but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Do you know who your children’s friends are or who is influencing them in the ways of good or bad? (read Proverbs 1:10-19)
Do you pray for them daily?
Do you pray for your wisdom for their sakes?
Are you a rock for them as the Lord is for you?
These are good questions we must ponder for our own lives and families. Don’t neglect the reading of scripture if, for no other reason, for the children God has blessed you with.
If we will be the example of goodness and godliness to our children, their lives will praise and honor God our Father in heaven.
The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice. (Pro 23:24-25)
BroKen1
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
(Pro 1:23-27)