Integrity- People of God

CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING FROM THE LORD

Over the centuries, children were seen as an asset and families with many children were seen as being blessed of God. We have seen a number of accounts in the Bible where women without a child, were viewed differently than those who did. All through history people understood that children were a blessing from God and something to be valued.

Psalm 127: 3-5Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Children are an inheritance, an heirloom from the Lord. The Bible says they are a gift from God; they should be appreciated and cherished because they can be a defense from our enemies. They are like arrows; a weapon that may be used against our adversaries. Many times we have seen children speak for their parents or with other family members to help resolve issues and concerns.

Children help us to be concerned for something other than ourselves. They remind us of how our actions may impact not only ourselves but our children also. Children help us to put aside our selfishness because we are now concerned for their wellbeing, which sometimes helps us to make better decisions. Many times people make poor choices because they are alone and are not in close relationships with family members. They may feel their actions will not affect anyone but they are wrong. We are all connected and yes people’s actions have a rippling effect.

God says happy is the man who has many children. The Bible says the man who has many children they will not be ashamed. This is opposite of what many societies are saying. This too is a tactic of Satan to criticize large families and to keep people from the blessings of God. It is sad to see how the enemy has attacked the family in such ways that society now actually views children as a hindrance and large families tend to be ostracized

In the beginning children may appear to be a lot to handle but that time flies by so quickly and as they grow and mature they become our defense. Children can help us, as we get older to navigate life’s battles so that our enemies cannot overtake us.

.     God gives life and the spirit of a man is like a candle from the Lord or as a lamp of the Lord. God breathes His life into mankind so mankind may bring glory to God in the earth. A child’s spirit is young and impressionable, seeking and searching, for the light of God’s word to lead them in the path of living a whole and complete life. This is why it is so important to teach our children when they are young, so when they are older they will have God’s word to draw on, to listen and direct them. They will have something more than the lies of this world.

Psalm 22:30-31 A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, That He has done this. NKJV

God wants us to teach our children so future generations will serve Him and they too will tell the next generation the things the Lord has done for them. God’s original purpose for man was to reflect His glory in the earth and His purpose has not changed. God is faithful to every generation. No matter how dark the world may look and how sinister and overwhelming evil may seem, God has a purpose and plan for all generations.

Genesis 18:17 — 19 Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” NIV

God wants to have a close relationship with us, just as He has given us relationships as fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and friends, so we may experience close relationships with others. God knew Abraham would become a powerful nation and he would direct, guide and lead his household in His ways.

God wants to be in a close relationship with each one of us. He gave us His breath and it is our spirit that searches out the light of His Word and will return to Him. Believing in God is something that comes so naturally to a child. For this reason it is so important we train our children when they are young in the way they should go. We should teach them before the hard blows from life teach them to be hard and distrusting. God says when they are old they will not depart, they may stray but they will return to truth.

Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

We all may not give birth to children but we all can be an influence on children and be in a mother or father relationship regardless of their being born to us or not. We can teach those children whom God put into our lives as friends and extended families. Many of us are surrogate mothers and fathers to the children in our families and communities. These children can sometimes be even more of a blessing than those we birth. Oftentimes those who we share life with and those we help to navigate this life are the ones who realize we were there because we want to be and not because we are obligated to be.

This does not mean children should feel indebted to us, but as children become adults they appreciate these relationships that allow sharing and communion. Some parent child relationships may never grow into a deep bond but we can be thankful for the time we had to teach them. We should thank God, for those young people He has put into our lives through community and friendship. We all are teachers and examples for life, either by choice or by default. We will influence those around us one way or another by the life we live before them.