For the Good

Jeremiah 32:39

…and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.

Have you ever thought about how the decisions you make, in speech and action, affect your kids and your kids’ kids?

In other words, when you speak anger against a neighbor and your kids’ ears hear it, they pick up on it and internalize it as their own. 

When we give to the poor without complaining and do it joyfully, our kids will take note that giving is a good thing and they will want to give, as well.

It’s the most important job we will ever have – that of walking with God in front of our kids so that they see Him for who he is and experience him as a loving Father who provides for all of their needs.

If we want our kids to experience the goodness of God, then we need to experience it in front of them, and share it with them – on a daily basis.

Stupid Children

Jeremiah 4:22 says “For My people are foolish, they know Me not; They are stupid children

And have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, But to do good they do not know.”

Children, left to themselves, without instruction and discipline, will live like animals – taking what they need from others and living a life full of self-satisfaction.  Children don’t have to be taught to lie, steal, or throw tantrums.  They just do, because they’re “shrewd to do evil.”

However, “to do good” they must be taught.  They must learn to say please and thank you, to give to others, to love everyone, and to serve God. 

Who’s going to teach them?

We must.

Otherwise, they will never have understanding and stupidity will rule them.

We don’t have to watch the news very long to hear of stupid things that stupid kids do – like speeding through traffic without a seatbelt – or jumping from a high building high on drugs just for the thrill of it.

Children desire instruction and we must give it to them – in love.

Otherwise, evil reigns.

The Inheritance

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Wow.

I’m in the time of life now where my children have children.  I went from being a mom to a being a grandmother of three in a few short years.  And I’d like to think I’m sowing seeds into them that will be an inheritance of the love of God that will hold them secure as they grow and mature.

But look at the second part of this verse!

There’s another inheritance that is ours – the ones who know Him – and that is the “wealth of the sinner!”

In another place in the bible it says He takes the weapons in the enemy’s hands and feeds them to his lambs!

In other words, every weapon formed against us in this world, if we are following after Him, will be turned around and used for our good – our inheritance.

What are you leaving for your kids and their kids?    It’s something to think about.

And besides that, you can expect all sorts of good things – even from the bad things – when you know the Giver of all things good.

The Barren

Psalm 113 He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children.

I didn’t want to have children, at all.  I was perfectly content to be without children, to live my life alone with me and my husband.  Then God gave me a child…and then another…and I’m eternally grateful, for sure.

However, there are many women who want children and remain childless their entire lives.  They feel alone and hopeless and perhaps rejected by God.

God’s intent is for us to never be alone, to always have hope, and to be assured that we are accepted and loved.

Even those without children, without spouses, without things, without health, etc. can find a place in his house and experience the joy of a mother with children.

Having children produces joy like no others.  And the truth is that that joy isn’t reserved for moms with children.

That joy is available to all – the barren and the fruitful.

Desiring children?  Or some other longing aching in your heart?  God can bring you joy as you abide in his house. 

Just ask Him.

He is Mindful

Psalm103 states,

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

The truth about our God is that he is full of compassion.  In fact, he has compassion that we don’t have at all times.  A good father has compassion on his children when they do wrong, and he forgives them, instructs them, and sets them in his arms securely, so that they know they still belong.

This verse is amazing.  Not only does our Father have compassion on us, he removes our sins from us so that they are no more – as far as the east is from the west – which is infinitely far! 

When we are reminded of our sins that we have confessed and received forgiveness for, that’s not God reminding us.  His reminders are of his love, his mercy, and his grace that will move us forward out of guilt and shame, into an abundant life full of His love.

He made us, remember?  

He knows we are weak and we will fail.  

And he’s oh so ready to forgive and forget, when we simply ask him to do so and fall into his arms of mercy.

Unborn

Psalm 78 cont’d: That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,

Wow, even our unborn children can hear and feel and sense what we’re teaching them, before their bodies ever enter the world.  What our kids’ ears hear is part of our responsibility as parents.  It’s great to limit TV watching, ban certain types of lyrics in music, and screen where and whom our kids spend time with…

However, we must tell our kids of the work God does in our own lives.  

It’s better to share with them how he healed your headache, than to just tell them that God heals.  It’s a stronger testimony to reveal to your kids the love of God by offering the homeless man a meal, than it is to preach to them about giving.

Telling our kids involves doing and being and living a life of thanksgiving to God, both in action and in word.

Let them see. 

Then they too will put their confidence in Him.

Tell it All

Psalm says 

We will not conceal them from their children,

But tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

There are a lot of things we should conceal from our children, like war photos, disaster films, filthy movies and horrid language, etc.  Their little ears and hearts cannot process the harshness of our world because they are unable to distinguish what they see from what is real.

There are a lot of things we are NOT to conceal from our children, like the goodness of God, his faithfulness, his word, the hope that he give, and the salvation he brings.

But how will they hear it or see it if we hide it and keep it as our own, or worse yet, if we don’t recognize It in our own lives?

Perhaps…if we tell them more of the goodness of God in our lives, there will be more goodness to share in the days to come.

Our kids need to hear so that they can believe and see God at work in their own lives.