Psalm 127
Sunday, 17 September 2023
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.” -Psalm 127: 3
Children in our lives are a blessing from the Lord! In Psalm 127, God declares that children are a heritage and a reward from Him.
David Jeremiah says: “God places children in our lives so we can lead them to Him. Being a parent isn’t just a job—it’s a joy!” It may be overwhelming to have “God’s heritage” in our hands and there are times as parents we are perplexed not knowing how to raise “His reward,” according to His will and purpose. Trying your best to reach the deep desire to be the parent God wants you to be, most often you find yourself at a loss, not knowing what to do next. Many desperately turn to experienced psychologists/counsellors for tips on parenting but with modern day viewpoints, they may confuse you even more with their advice.
The world cannot offer much on how to raise children in a godly way —BUT GOD DOES! God speaks to the family with timeless wisdom from His Word that will help us to be the kind of parents He wants us to be. May every parent be encouraged to seek help from Him!
When the LORD builds
V1: “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;” Its only when the Lord builds your home, children become our heritage - allow Him to build your home! As a loving and careful parent, you watch over your children especially in their growing years. When they go into older years, many parents want to know everything about them— their friends, where they go, what they do….You may even try keeping track of their every move! But all this watching and worrying is vain without the Lord!! The other part of V1 says, “Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.”
Father –a mighty warrior
V4 refers to a father as warrior. God wants fathers to be spiritually strong on behalf of their families. Fathers should intercede for their children in prayer and bestow blessings upon them—a practice in the Old Testament times. Numbers 6:24-26: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” Don’t hesitate to lay hands over your children and bless them and do it as often as you can!
Children – the arrows
V4 calls children as arrows. Children are not born as “straight arrows” but they have to be made into sharp arrows. There is a time when the arrows are in your hand and a time they will no longer be in your hands. When those arrows are in your hand, they are your responsibility. They do not turn out well without training and discipline. It’s difficult to mold them once they enter their adolescence—better done at the tender age itself. It is up to us to aim them right; to shape them in such a way as to serve the Lord when they grow up. “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
*Practical tips for young parents*
- Mealtime – At the table with a meal, you can affirm, converse, listen, laugh, etc….Life lessons are learned here – all other “distractions” to be kept away
- Travel time -Engage in conversations instead of blaring the CDs. Jesus taught His disciples while He travelled too. Travel time can be for exchanging ideas and point them in the right direction. They won’t be driving with you always.
- Bedtime – Spend time in short prayer with the family and bless your children before the day ends or they sleep.
May we seek the LORD and do what we need to, that our children will be a blessing!
Thought for the Day: “Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” ~ Charles Swindoll
Listen: 'The Blessing'