August 30, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 20

 

“The first destroyers of their children are those who neglect them and knowingly permit them to grow up without the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Martin Luther

 

 

 

In the last few years, my wife and I have been blessed to be a foster parents. In that time, we have had a variety of children live with us anywhere from over a weekend to over a year and each one has come with their own story about how they ended up in “the system.”

 

 

Overwhelmingly, their stories include experiences of neglect by those who were supposed to love and care for them. Sometimes it was because of drug or alcohol abuse and other times it was just because they chose not to be around. As you can imagine, often this leaves these little ones feeling lost and alone.

 

 

The Psalmist says in Psalm 127:3-5, ​ “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

 

 

Every child, born and unborn, is cherished by God and made in His image. They are a heritage unto God allowing generation after generation to benefit from His goodness and mercy. When we neglect to care for our children, it is an afront to God Himself.

 

 

In our fast-paced world of self-gratification and minimal self-control, it seems that many have lost their sense of what is most important. We worship at the alter of self and neglect the one true God who is the way, the truth, and the life. In the midst of this, our children have suffered because of the lack of a Christian upbringing. The lessons learned by “bringing them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), have been replaced with lessons on worldliness and the worship of the gods of their own making.

 

 

Every child is precious in God’s sight, and they are given as a treasure to parents. In return, we, as parents so blessed, are asked to bring them up, knowing who their God is and how His love for them has provided a way to salvation.

 

 

Today, reach out to a child with the love of God. Share with them how much God loves them and teach them the story of what Jesus, out of His immense love for them, has done to make them His own.

 

 

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for our children and help us to bring them up according to Your good and gracious will. Amen.