Faith for our children

We often find ourselves worrying about the future, particularly the lives and futures of our children. Of course, we want the very best for them. However, at times we may feel inadequate to meet their needs. Situations arise leaving us confused regarding the best direction for their lives. Nevertheless, we don’t need to worry about the lives of our children. If we commit them into the care of the Lord, His hand will be upon them. As we dedicate them to Him, their lives will unfold in accordance with His plan and purpose. Abraham, the father of all who believe, had to learn this lesson.

God had promised Abraham that he would be the ‘father of many nations’. For this to be possible, he needed to have a son. This did not occur until Abraham was 100 years old! So the first point of faith for Abraham was to believe that what the Lord had promised would come to pass. Abraham proved to have this kind of faith through many years of believing in the Lord’s promises, and obeying His commands. Therefore, the Lord considered him to be a faithful servant. Imagine the great rejoicing Abraham and Sarah shared at the birth of their son Isaac! However, the Lord still had a great ‘test’ for Abraham and Sarah. One day He called Abraham and told him to take Isaac, his only son, and offer him as a burnt sacrifice. For Abraham, this meant sacrificing the son whom he loved so dearly. He had to lay down the thing that God had promised to give him. When the time came to offer his son, God provided a ram in place of Isaac. However, through this, Abraham proved to God that he was willing to obey His commands. He dedicated and committed the life of his son into the Lord’s hands.

Abraham instructed his family and household in the ways of the Lord. And he was willing to hear from God concerning his family. Long before the birth of Isaac, Abraham had cultivated his relationship with the Lord. This was the foundation upon which the lives Abraham and Isaac were built. As the Scripture accounts, the Lord hid nothing from Abraham. Every Christian should aspire to this testimony.

As parents, we must consider whether we are willing to let go of our children, committing them completely into the hands of the Lord. As we learn to do this, we join Abraham in his faith. We begin to realize that the Lord has everything under control. We need to simply trust that He is working in our children, and allow Him to deal with them as His sons and daughters. By this means they will grow and mature into the men and women He wants them to be.

Helen Smith

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Feature Articles
June 2008

Sleepless nights

Alive to praise

How are we sent

Wonders for the dead

Faith for our children

The way of wisdom

Light from darkness

Giving to the end

Gathering all Israel