Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:1-8
Ps 78:1-8
1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 8 They would not be like their forefathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Eph 6:1-4
1 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Children are a blessing from the Lord, but it is so easy for us to get our priorities wrong in the formative years. We want them to be liked and have friends as they grow. We want them to excel in school and get a good education, so they can be successful in life. We support them as they engage in extra activities and so make time for multiple practice or training sessions each week. We go to great lengths to make sure they develop mentally, socially and physically.
But as a blessing from God, our first priority should be that we teach them about the Lord and the importance of trusting and serving him. This is done first by the example we set before them. Most children learn to be like their parents. But it takes our teaching as well. In our daily conversations we must tell them about God, his creation, his power, his love, his grace and his faithfulness. The lure of the world is strong, so we must make every effort to win them to Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings in my life every day. I ask you to help me use everything you have given me to your glory. Open my heart and my eyes to see every opportunity you give me to do your will. Instill your love in me so I will not be selfish, greedy or hateful, but rather, kind, compassionate, caring and filled with your love for others. Give me wisdom as a husband, a parent and grandparent to show my family your way. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
