TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

The book of Proverbs was written by the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon. Many look at Proverbs 22:6 as a promise from God that the right parenting will produce children who keep the faith. As parents, we certainly hope that indeed it is. But does the Creator make this guarantee?

I believe you have heard of stories of even pastors’ kids and families of church leaders who don’t even have the same faith or become rebels. Black sheep are also fairly common. There is no guarantee that children reared up faithfully will keep the faith as adults. Promises of God include numerous blessings for obeying His way of life. But they do not include a guarantee to parents that children reared faithfully will keep the faith as adults.

Free will to make our own choices is a gift that God gave us. The ability to obey or reject his commandments. Righteousness cannot be forced because freedom is taken away. Parents certainly need to teach and train and encourage their children to follow God’s way. However, we need to understand that when they grow up, they will be responsible for the choices they make. They may even choose a different path.  

However, our Bible verse today is crystal clear that parental training and mentoring the biblical way now will have a significant impact on how they turn out as adults. This verse can be a double-edged sword, though. It’s comforting advice for parents who are confident about how they’re raising their kids but discouraging for parents who feel like they’ve made mistakes. It’s never too late, though. If you feel you’ve made mistakes, you can take action now to start reversing them and train your child well. Think about the things that are important to you and make sure you are sharing them with your children.

Children are gifts from God. This gift is a blessing, free but comes with responsibility and stewardship, despite proverbs not being a promise that they will not grow into people that we like them to become. It is very important that parents still give proper spiritual and secular education to prepare the child to make better choices. Make your family and home a place where each member loves to go home to, where love and respect exist, and in that way, training up a child would be more receptive than inciting a rebellion from them. It is very important to build that relationship with each other. Remember, too many rules without a relationship will lead to rejection.

REFLECTION

In today’s world, where beliefs and values are being challenged by the changing standards of the world, where our children are constantly exposed, we as parents need to be even more vigilant than ever before. Nowadays, social media seems to be more influential to children than their parents. Their outlook, beliefs, and values are being shaped by what they are watching than by what their parents are teaching. We must not allow that to happen. And the best way to know is to have them be in constant communication, have an open relationship, and have your home be the primary place where biblical principles are taught and practiced, and value formation takes root.

PRAYER

Lord, help me win my family for Your kingdom, make our home a place where we all have an open relationship and be the primary place where biblical principles are taught, modeled, and practiced. Bless our family Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.