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All of us are touched deeply when youth go astray. There is much sorrow in so many homes today because of the failure of parents to build godly, dedicated children who love the Lord supremely
God sees the potential of each life. God has the right to own us and the right to desire total submission to His will and plan for our lives. God
has the right to dictate to each parent His plan and will for them and for their children.
Often grandparents feel their hands are tied and they are not allowed to exercise but little, if any, influence for good in the lives of their grand- children. For many grandparents it is a great burden to watch the ruin or potential of ruin that sin brings in the lives of grand-children and then
have no way to see a change take place.
If parents exercised the concern that God has for the youth of our homes they probably would never allow indifference and carelessness to creep into their own lives as adults.
I have written for the purpose to challenge each parent and grandparent. God does have the answers. We can succeed in having godly youth
who hate sin and love the things the Christ would have us love, and hate the things that Christ would have us hate.
-- Dr. Edward Watke Jr.
Revival In The Home Ministries, Inc. 1994
It is hard for any of us to fully comprehend the great burden that our Heavenly Father has for each generation. God’s burden for the perpetuity of the faith is very evident from the Word of God.
In contrast today, many parents who profess salvation, and would say they have a Christian home, have little evident concern for godly living. The fear of the Lord is lacking as well as obedience to the faith which brings separation from the world unto the Lord.
Consider the following verses which are just a few of the many that tell us of God’s concern for each future generation.
I. The Evident Concern God Has for the Family!
This concern was manifested toward His chosen Old Testament people, the Israelites. What we read here is exactly how God looks at it today. He has not changed and His Word is exalted above His Name and is forever settled in Heaven.
Deut. 4:9,10 “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;. . . Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth; and that they may teach their children.” (I urge to read Deuteronomy 4:1-10 and what God says to the parents.)
Deut. 4:40 (Here we read of God’s great desire for the families’ welfare.) “Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever.”
Deut. 5:29 “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”
Deut. 6:5-7 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. . .”
Psalm 78:2-7 “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.”
In the New Testament we also get a glimpse of the heart of God and his concern for the family today during this age of grace.
Eph. 6: 1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
II. Why God Has Such Concern for the Family!
1. Because God planned the home from the beginning when He created Adam and Eve. (See Genesis 2:10-24.)
2. Because the family is the unit by whom and through whom His work is to be carried out in the world.
3. Because God desires that we know Him, love Him, and live for Him supremely. He planned that this faith, trust, and obedience would be passed on from generation to generation.
Note: Without this families will eventually live for sin and Satan. Gradually within three or four generations all the love, trust and obedience toward the Heavenly Father will be replaced with anti-God sentiment, self-will living, and indifference toward the results of godlessness and a sinful lifestyle. Any lifestyle that leaves God out as Lord of our lives is a life of godlessness!
4. God planned for the home to be the repository for truth, the place where godly living would be taught by the parents and lived by them as shining examples of the fear of the Lord, cleaving unto the Lord, living lives of obedience.
I have met many grandparents and parents who have come to the place of tremendous anguish of soul over their children who are not living for Christ, or who are not saved, or if saved they have embraced the world’s philosophies, teachings, priorities and life- style.
Many parents and grandparents alike have prayed with my wife and I, have wept before us, and have shared their own hearts about their loved ones who are not living for Christ. We understand well that kind of burden and heart concern. It is natural, good and biblical. For if we have the concern spoken of in Psalm 78, then we will also naturally carry a great burden of soul for loved ones whose lives manifest an indifference to God while at the same time they manifest a love for the world and it’s wickedness.
The warnings are strong, the results of failure are sure, and the sorrows, disaster, and heart-aches from failure are just as sure.
We only have one opportunity to train, mold, and prepare our children for God. There are no reruns, no new opportunities to try again.
One of the basic problems is that we think we can live like the world, embrace its lifestyle, music, goals, and value system and not be affected.
It is so easy for parents to gradually compromise, give in to children wishes against their own better judgment, and just hope that things will turn out all right in the end. That is not good enough. We must practice, obey, and ardently live that which God commands.
There were many warnings given to the Israelites. These were to be considered individually. What God gave to the masses applied to each family. It basically all hinged upon the parents’ obedience to God’s Word and will.
God used Moses to write the book of Deuteronomy to a new generation who was about to enter into the promise land. It is the law given again to a new generation.
I. God’s Warnings to Israel Were Dynamic!
Deut. 4:1-6 “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you, for to do them, that ye shall live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baal-peor: for all that men that followed Baalpeor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day.
Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them: for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of all the nations.”
Did you note the warnings above? Did you sense God’s heart for their good as well as ours?
Deut. 4:15 “Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves.”
Deut 6:12-15 “Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth. . . Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. . . For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you, lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.”
Deut 30:15-20 “See, I have set set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them: I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish. . . I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for He is thy life and the length of thy days. . “
These things were spoken directly to families, to the heads of households and they apply literally and completely to us today.
God expects us to live godly in Christ Jesus. The whole New Testament directs us about godly living for Christ’s glory and honor.
II. We are Warned by the Sowing and Reaping Process.
Every mom and dad is sowing in the seed bed of a child’s life. The question is what are we sowing? What are we allowing our children to sow in their lives from the medium of TV, the world’s music and the world’s entertainment?
Are our children building an appetite for the world’s sinful lifestyle? What a warning in this portion.
Gal. 6:7,8 “Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for what -whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Warnings abound in the Word of God. In James 1:21 we are urged to lay aside the filthiness of the flesh and the practice of any kind of sinful living. The applied Word of God is to save us from the pollution of sin which takes place so easily in our personal lives.
James 1:21 “Where lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (He is not writing about salvation here, but the saving of our inner being from the corruption that sinful living brings.)
James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
I John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”
These warnings tell us we can practice sins that bring the judgment of premature death. According to I Corinthians 11, this means that we can so sin that we might die prematurely, or we will be sickly, or weak physically, etc. Unforsaken sins can bring divine judgment. (See I Cor. 11:26-32.)
Nothing can happen to the individual but what it effects the family in a dynamic way. Nothing can take place in the life of a mom or dad in personal failure, neglect, or indifference, but what it also dramatically effects the family.
The Scriptures bring many examples to us of what a godly family produces as well as what happens when sin is in control and what it produces.
Far too often the problem is a lack of concern or burden. I think that many a saved, Christian family really wants to have godly children, but because of a lack of repentance of sin, dedication and consistency, soon all the elements which build a strong family are totally neglected.
III. The Book of Hebrews Gives Us Many Warnings That We Need to Heed.
Note some of them:
1. Don’t let known truth from God slip from you but give heed to what you have been taught. (2:1)
2. Recognize transgression and disobedience will receive a just recompense of reward. (2:2)
3. Today, hear and heed His voice! (3:7, 13, 15; 4:7)
4. Don’t allow a hardening of your heart. (3:15)
5. Take heed concerning sinful unbelief. (3:12)
6. Don’t allow a hardening about sin. (3:13)
7. Don’t err in your heart, not knowing God’s ways and will. (3:10; 4:1-4)
Consider: (See Psa. 78:8.) “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation: a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”
We desperately need Bible convictions! A conviction is something we would be willing to die for -- and even more difficult -- we are willing to live for!
Without godly, Biblical convictions we will love the things of the world, compromise and allow failure to abound in our lives as adults.
By our sinful, poor example, gradually the next generation will live no different than the seemingly moral unsaved about them, at best, and possibly live very wicked lives at the worst.
If we build our personal lives and our homes on the Word of God we will build convictions that will be enduring, strong, and God-honoring.
Note the following portions. It would be good to read them for each one of them speaks of generations!
Gen. 6:9
Gen. 9:12
Gen. 17:7-12
Ex. 3:15
Ex. 12:14, 17, 42
Ex. 27:21; 30:21; Ex. 31:133, 16; Lev. 3:17; 6:18; 7:36; 10:9; 17:7;
Ps. 105:8; Ps. 33:11; 45:17; 49:11; 72:5; 79:13; 89:1; 90:1;
Ps. 102:12, 24; 106:31; 119:90; 135:13; 145:13;
God has a great concern for each generation! How about yours?
I. Israel Needed Convictions!
1. They were to show the generations to come the praises of the Lord, his strength, and his wonderful works that he had done. To do this consistently they needed the conviction to do it. (See Psa. 78:4)
3. In Psalm 128, verses one and two, we note God states that people are blessed who fear the Lord and walk in his ways. It is then He promises that we can eat the labor of our hands; happy shall we be, and it will be well for us.
2. They were to be greatly burdened for the next generation and the generation to come who should yet arise. They were to build convictions so they would set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. (See Psa. 78:5-7.) To do this required great conviction.
4. We must have convictions that cause us to walk in His ways, and to have godly fear and reverence before him. Further blessings abound according to Psalm 128:3-6.
II. The New Testament Challenges Us to Have Godly Convictions that Produces Right Living.
1. In writing to the believers at Thessalonica, Paul wrote that they were to despise not prophesyings, (or the teaching and preaching of the Word of God), but they were to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
(See I Thess. 5:20,21.)
2. If we live for what is good that we must of necessity embrace the good and refuse the evil. Again, this will demand our building convictions which we will not compromise. The pressures are there for every family to compromise truth. Gradually, we no longer consider things evil which once were evil to our thinking and to our convictions.
3. Writing to Titus, Paul wrote the following, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world “ (Titus 2:11,12).
4. In Ephesians chapters five and six, Paul sets forth directives for the family, for marriage relationships, and for the rearing of godly children. If we are to fulfill these, it will be because we have sufficient conviction to obey the Word of God regardless of what others may do, or say.
III. Today’s families lack convictions!
Frequently, this means the family has allowed the world’s standards to be their standards. Godly separation from the world is seldom seen. The worldly standards of music, dress, actions, lifestyle, goals, ambitions, purposes, values, etc. have replaced that which honors the Lord.
We need a clarion call back to godly living. We desperately need a revival of holy living in todays Christian family. Too often the family considers themselves to be normal when normality means unseparated, worldly living.
Consider a problem: Maybe as a parent your statement or thought is: “Well, the grandparent’s convictions are not my convictions and they are not going to tell me what to do.” Is that the real problem? Is it not true that if the grandparents’ convictions are based on the Word of God, then parents’ convictions will be almost identical if we are allowing the same Holy Spirit to apply the Word of God?
Consider Bible Principles: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)? The Word of God is very clear about Biblical principles that would build convictions, such as:
1. Don’t do anything that would cause your brother to stumble. You need to ask the question, Will it effect others adversely? (See Rom. 14:10-13; 7, 8;
Gal. 5:13; Phil. 1:10.)
2. Don’t do anything that has the appearance of evil or sin. You need to ask the question,Would Christ have done it? (See I Thess. 5:22; Rom. 15:1-3;
I Pet. 2:21; Col. 2:6; Jh. 16:10, 11.)
3. Don’t do anything that you can’t do in the Name of Christ, asking His blessing. You need to ask yourself the question, Can I pray for Christ ‘s blessing on what I am about to do? (See Col. 3:17; I Jh 2:28; Rom. 14:12.)
4. Don’t do anything that will not glorify the Lord or bring honor to Him. You need to ask the question, Will this act (etc.) glorify God? (See I Cor. 10:31-33; Col. 3:17; Eph. 4:1.)5. Don’t do anything that takes away the peace which the Holy Spirit brings. (See Col. 3:15.)
6. Don’t do anything about which you are doubtful. But ask the question, Can I do this with full confidence of faith? (See Rom. 14:4, 5-9; 14-17; 22,23)
7. Don’t do anything that will mar your fellowship with the Lord. Ask yourself the question, Will this act, deed, or event I am about to enter into hurt my fellowship with the Savior who died for me? (See I Jh. 1:6,7; 2:15,16;
James 4:4-8.)
If, as families, we will apply the above biblical principles, we will not be conformed to this world, but we will live for honorable, dedicated lives for Him.
God would give us a burden of supplication. We need to be willing to carry such a burden. Possibly, in this age, what parents and grandparents need more than anything else is to enter into fasting and prayer.
We need to come back to an ardent, fervent prayer life of strong crying and supplication. Christ prayed with great fervency and desire and He is an example for us today. (See Hebrews 5: )
The godly, dedicated Israelite was to have a great burden for the next generation as well as those generations that would arise after them who were not yet born. They were to look forward to four and five generations beyond them and the importance of present godly living for the sake of the future ones who would yet be born. (See Deut. 4:9-12; 23-26; 39-40.)
If Christian families do not continue to pass on the heritage of the past, in two generations all spiritual impact for the future will be lost. Those youth may be in hell for eternity!
It may be in many cases, if grandparents were to share their burden, anguish of soul, and heart-depth concern to their children about grand-children, they would be personally rejected, scorned, ridiculed, and their advice spurned. This is sad, but so often true. Maybe parents do not realize that if grandparents embrace a God-given burden it will be natural for them to share their convictions and their concerns.
I. This Burden Ought To Include Daily Intercession.
1. We are to pray for those whom God has put under our care. This was Samuel’s concern when he spoke of the fact that he would not cease praying for the
Israelite nation, as he also warned them! (See I Sam. 12:23-25.) God has put certain people under our care and we must intercede for them even if we have been rejected as Samuel was. (See I Sam. 8:19-22; and Eph. 6:18.)
2. God has promised blessing to those who serve and honor Him!
(See John 14:15, 21, 23, 15:1-8.)
3. Moses prayed for those for whom he was accountable and we must do the same. (See Exod. 33:11-17.)
4. We need spiritual bread for those for whom we are accountable. This comes from prayer, supplication, importunity and deep spiritual desire.
(See Luke 11:1-13.)
II. This Burden Should Include Insights About the Needs of the Younger Generations.
As a grandparent, or parent, if we would study Deuteronomy chapters four, five and six thoroughly, I think we would gain insights into present as well as future needs.
We should become aware of the commands and precepts given of the Lord. If these are embraced and practiced in the home it would save each family from much sorrow that comes from the loss of godliness.
A thorough study of the foregoing mentioned chapters would give us insights as to what matters in family living. We have allowed the twentieth century lifestyle of the lost to impact our standards, value system, and purposes of living. I am afraid that we have lost even the knowledge of what builds and helps us maintain a true Christian home.
We have allowed the pressures of daily living, the cares of life, the desire for things and pleasures to choke out the good seed, the Word of God. We have traded the good things of God for the husks of this world. (See Mark 4:18,19; Luke 8:14.)
III. We Must Desire a Walk In Truth.
John, the Apostle, was concerned that those under his care walked in truth. Study II John and III John. He was thrilled that these who were spiritually under his direction and spiritual oversight were walking in the truth of God’s Word. (II Jh 1,2,4; III Jh 1,3,4,12.)
Grandparents and parents we need to be greatly concerned that our children and youth walk in truth. The opposite is a walk in the lies of Satan.
It is the practice of inner self-talk lies that helps to bring us to failure and sinful practices, patterns and habits of life. We so readily lie to ourselves about what is serious, what is sinful, and what displeases God.
IV. Our Burden Should Come From the Example of Solomon’s Burden!
1. Solomon had a keen desire for his children (son). “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” (Prov. 1:8). This was to be an ornament of grace about the child’s head and as chains about his neck. (Prov. 1:9)
2. Solomon spoke of eight actions verbs in Proverbs 2:1-4 which should characterize our lives as parents and grandparents. We should be living examples to the younger generation of a love for the pure Word of God.
2:1 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
2. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
“THEN. . .” Notice the immediate results to be produced in their lives as seen in verses 5-11.
a. They would understand the fear of the Lord,
b. find the knowledge of God,
c. have sound wisdom, knowledge and understanding,
d. keep the paths of judgment, understand righteousness, judgment and equity; yea, every good path,
e. wisdom would enter the heart and knowledge would be pleasant to the soul;
f. discretion would preserve, and understanding would keep us.
g. And they (we) would be delivered from evil people, crooked paths and wicked living. (See further Proverbs 2:12-22.)
3. Solomon could say what most parents and grandparents cannot say today. Notice the words of Proverbs 4:1-6.
Hear, ye children the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine , (teaching the Word of God) forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her and she shall keep thee.”
Solomon gave clear instruction from the Word of God. He led his son into divine wisdom and the application of God’s truth. We must have this kind of burden today.
Malachi, the prophet, had a great burden for the families who had returned from the captivity. A study of the book of Malachi reveals a God-given desire fostered in the prophet’s life.
The problems were great at that time. Most of the families, doubtless, were far removed from obedience to the commands which we read earlier as given in the book of Deuteronomy.
I. God Wants Us to Raise Up a Godly Seed!
In Malachi 2:11-16 we read that many men were leaving their wives and marrying the wives of the heathen nations around them.
Malachi challenged them about this failure. This act by the men was called an abomination. Judah had profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and had married the daughter of a strange god. (vs 11)
God is a witness of our relationships in marriage. (vs 14.) He sees what we live there. These men were dealing treacherously with their wives. Their marriage, like ours, was a divine covenant and the wife was to to be a companion given by God.
Now what is God’s purpose in marriage? In verse fifteen God gives us the basic purpose.
1. God planned for the husband and wife to walk as one. He said they were to be one. (vs 15 compared with Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:30-32)
2. The purpose of oneness was that they might build an environment whereby godly children might be reared for God.
II. God’s major purpose for marriage is stated in Mal. 2:15. HE SEEKS A GODLY SEED!
1. God desires for us to have godly children; godly offspring who serve Him and make Him Lord of their lives.
2. God Desires That the Parents (grandparents) Fulfill a Major Goal -- to Bring Up Children In the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord.
(Read Ephesians 6:4.)
To bring them up is something very specific. We are to train up a child in the way that he should go. (See Proverbs 22:6.) We do this by teaching them the Word of God.
This means we are to obey Deuteronomy 6:6-9 where we are taught to speak of these things (the commands, statutes, judgments, precepts, etc. of the Lord) when we sit in the house, when we lie down, when we rise up, and in all the events that make up daily life.
III. What part do grandparents have in this?
1. It ought to be the goal and desire of each one to help mold the grandchildren by sharing the Word of God with them at every opportunity.
2. In fact we ought to work at making opportunities to share what God has taught us.
3. We need to be building a heritage of spiritual truth that will help to keep youth from sin.
4. We need to be examples of “diligently keeping the commandments of the Lord God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he hath commanded.
We need to do right and good in the sight of the Lord that it may go well with us and with our sons and son’s sons. (See Deut. 6:17,18.)
Where would we find God’s clear direction for the home? What does the Lord want of the parent and the grandparent?
To have a godly home necessitates passing on a godly heritage. Godly direction must come through the lives of those who influence them most -- parents and grandparents. They must be examples of what God desires the children to become.
We have already noted some directives as given in Deuteronomy 6. Let’s examine some more which come through the lives of those who have influence!
I. We Need Godly Older Men Who Are Examples!
(See Titus 2:2 for this describes what a grandfather ought to be like.)
1. Sober -- or to be serious minded, not frivolous.
2. Grave -- dignified, living a life of dignity in old age that produces respect of the younger generation.
3. Temperate -- describes an attitude of mind that leads to prudence and self- control in life. It is the opposite of carelessness. It means to be discreet, with seriousness in life and purpose.
4. Sound in faith, in love, and in patience. All of this goes together. We older men must be examples of a walk by faith, a walk in love and in the practice of patience. The older men should know what they believe, and their doctrinal convictions should be in accord with God’s Word.
II. We Need Godly Older Women Who Are Examples of a Godly Life.
(Read Titus 2:3-4. This describes what a grandmother ought to be like and her influence with the daughters or daughters-in-law of the family.)
1. The deportment of these older women was to always reflect holiness. Holy living on the part of the older women would greatly impact the younger generation.
2. They were not to be false accusers. Literally meaning slanderers, for they were not to pick up gossip and spread it.
3. They were to be temperate in all things.
4. The women were to be teachers of good things. Experienced, godly women are usually excellent teachers. They were to teach sober mindedness or to train the younger female generation in serious-minded living.
5. The older generation of ladies (grandmothers) are to teach the younger generation of wives how to love their husbands, to love their children and to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands.
One of the strongest forces for spiritual ministry in a church lies with the older believers and that ought to be true of the home as well.
The younger generation ought to welcome the input of godly, biblical grandparents or the older generation, whoever among the saved these might be.
God has given many promises to the family, the parents and grandparents, and the individual, who truly serve the Lord in total dedication and endeavors to be obedient to the Lord and to His Word.
Christ’s Lordship means nothing without our obedience. In fact the only way we can truly prove that we love Him is to obey Him. And to obey Him is to obey His written Word -- its precepts, statutes, commandments, principles, directives, commands, and judgments. (See Psalm 19.)
A rereading of Psalm 119, which has 176 verses, would reveal to us that every verse speaks of, or deals with, the subject of the Word of God, with the exception of 5 verses. God puts a premium upon the importance of His Word. He blesses richly those who love His Word, meditate upon it, and seek to live it.
One of the paramount needs in the family is the reading, embracing, loving, and obedience to the Word of God. The Word of God must be applied daily to the family unit and to each individual that makes up the home.
I. The Promise of Fruitfulness. (Psa. 1:1-3)
1. If we meditate in the Word of God daily, making application to daily life we will be like a tree planted by living waters.
2. There will be fruitfulness in season and our leaves will not wither, for whatsoever we do will prosper.
Applied to the home this would mean fruitful living in righteous acts, kindness and holy life. The seasons of fruitfulness would take place in the lives of children under our direction, for in due season, as they mature, they would manifest a love for Christ and a desire for godly living. Is this our experience in the home today?
Consider: Do we walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners and sit in the seat of the scornful? If we do, we can expect the judgment of God. We can anticipate His chastening, rather than his blessings. (See Deut 30:14-20; 31:11-13; Heb.12:5-12.)
We can also expect that whatever we are sowing we will also reap. This may be corruption that comes ever so slowly but it comes none the less. (See Gal. 6:7,8.) So often it takes years before we see the full fruit of godless living. But the fruit of our doings will be manifested in due time.
What are you sowing, parent? What are you sowing, grandparent? Will you have the fruitfulness God promises in Psalm one, or will you have the loss that so many families are experiencing in the lives of their children? Dad, just what are you living? Are you leading in family devotions?
II. The Promise of Our Youth Being a Blessing and a Tribute to Us and to Our Leadership.
(Consider Psalm 128.)
1. Those who walk in the fear the Lord will be blest. (vs 1)
2. Those who walk with God, having a reverential fear of God in a walk by faith shall be blessed, happy they shall be, and it shall be well with them.
(vs. 2-3)
3. They shall see their children’s children (The meaning is to see them in honor not in loss.) and peace upon Israel. (vs. 6)
III. We Will Have the Blessing of Having Wise Children.
(See Proverbs 23:22-26.)
1. Blessing is predicated upon the child being taught the Word of God. He must “buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom and instruction, and understanding.” (vs. 22-24) It depends upon the child giving the parent his heart and his eyes observing the way of the parent. (vs. 26)
a. Then the father of the righteous child shall greatly rejoice for he that begettest a wise child shall have the joy of him. (vs. 24)
b. The father and mother shall be glad and she that bare the child shall rejoice. (vs. 25)
2. If we have wise children they shall be like pillars in our homes bringing joy and blessing that never ceases.
Conversely, the opposite is also true. How sad but true, for “an unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.” (See Prov. 29:27.) This in application would also mean that a child who lives wickedly is an abomination to the just, godly parent who brought him into the world. While he loves his child he is grieving daily, hourly, because of the life the child is living. Heartache of this kind never ends and the anguish of soul is never abated in this life. For “He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy” (Prov. 17:21).
IV. The Blessing of Sending Children Out of the Home to Do God’s Will.
In Psalm 127, verses 4 and 5, the psalmist likens a child to an arrow. “As arrows are in the hand of a might 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.”
1. The child is like an arrow. The arrow had to be fashioned, made balanced, usable, fitted, formed, and prepared for the purpose for which an arrow is made. So the child is to be fashioned by the parent, make usable for God, fitted for a godly life, formed and prepared for the purpose for which God gave life to the child.
2. The arrow has to be sent on to its target. The child must be projected from the home, as he matures, to hit the target of the will of God. The parents and grandparents have a large, major part in this preparation and molding and then the projection into adult life. We should desire that the child hits the target of the will of God. (See Eph. 5:27; 6:6; Col. 4:12.) The child must be made ready to serve God fully of his own free will.
3. The owner of the arrow is responsible for the arrow. So likewise the parents and earlier generations are responsible for the child’s preparation for life and service.
4. The arrow serves a purpose. So the child is born for a purpose and is to live for a purpose. Namely, to be a servant for God and man. (See Matt. 20:28.)
5. The blessing in this -- it is a joy when the arrow hits the target. (Maybe the arrow hits the game that was needed for the next meal.) There is great blessing in having children who are godly. Happy is this man, and he shall not be ashamed. (See Psa. 127:4,5.)
”A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Prov. 27:12)
God is saying here that if we are prudent, as parents and as grandparents, we will see the potential of evil in the life of a child (or in any event, person, circumstance, etc.) and we will do something about it.
To hide ourselves means to see the problem when it is small, in its infancy, and to do something about it before it is too late. Thus we are hidden from the problem because we have dealt with it early.
An example, in application: If we will have careful, daily, thoughtful oversight over our children like: who their friends are, then we will see the potential of hurt from the wrong kind of friendships prior to any effect on our child. For evil friends corrupt good character.
In closing:
Personally, I am concerned for the many parents and grandparents who are burdened down because of the destruction that sin has brought in the lives of the younger generation.
There are few sorrows in life, if any, that are as great as the intense anguish one experiences when a person you love is walking down a pathway of sin. Total corruption can take place in the life of that young person. It maybe so serious that you wonder if it could be the same person as the tender-hearted, kind, loving child of but just a few years earlier.
Somehow parents and grandparents need to get stirred up and seek to bring a change before it is too late. Grandparents, when all else fails, seek God’s power, grace, wisdom, and intervention.
Preface
Copyright 2000. Revival in the Home Ministries, Inc.