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Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the an intended target.
LORD build the house, they la- Being the earthlings we are,
bor in vain that build it….” God we may aim high in pursuit of
uses human instruments (they that career, education, respectabili-
build it) but if it is not His work it will ty, popularity, wealth, and
all be in vain. It may be well to en- pleasure; but all that is to aim
courage or to advise children in areas too low and to miss the mark
in which they may be talented, but we
must seek God’s will and God’s ca- as parents. No matter how hard or
lling—not our own ambitions. We for how long we may pursue those
OF THE CHILDREN are to sow and to water, but it must be goals and even if they are obtained, of
God that gives the increase. Verse 2 what lasting value is it? In Matthew
expresses the uselessness, waste, and 18:5 Jesus said, “And whoso shall
disappointment that is to be expected receive one such little child in my
when God’s blessing is absent. God name receiveth me.” Our regard to-
does not bless nor is He given honor ward the child as an eternal human
and glory by disobedience or selfish being with potential for giving honor
motive. Verse 3 says, “Lo, children and glory and praise to our Lord does
are an heritage of the LORD: and say something of our regard for Him.
the fruit of the womb is his reward.” It is so important that we not
A heritage is something, presumably become so cumbered about
of value, that is handed down for the much serving of physical and
use and enjoyment of the holder who temporal things for our chil-
is trusted with its preservation and dren that we neglect the spiri-
development. As with a precious tual and eternal. Many seem to
heirloom, we should recognize think that as long as they have their
and be ever mindful of the children “in church” most Sundays
source and value of children. and pray for them that everything will
They are neither accidents nor pro- be blessed but many are also disap-
blems and should never be thought of pointed. The promises of God for His
or treated as objects or pawns. Chil- people are not unconditional. In 1
dren are an opportunity, as an exten- Kings 6:12, 13 the Lord told Solo-
sion of ourselves through them, to gi- mon, “Concerning this house which
ve God honor and glory not only in thou art in building, if thou wilt walk
the present but beyond our lifetime in my statutes, and execute my judg-
and throughout eternity. Verse 4 sa- ments, and keep all my com-
ys, “As arrows are in the hand of a mandments to walk in them; then
mighty man; so are children of the will I perform my word with thee,
youth.” Arrows that are not just for which I spake unto David thy father:
show or for play, but arrows in the And I will dwell among the children
hand of a mighty man, pictures an ef- of Israel, and will not forsake my
fective projectile ready to be launched people Israel.” The Lord does not
with power, purpose, and precision at bless disobedience nor the pla-
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