GODLY PARENTING

SCRIPTURE:

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.  4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning, he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.” (Job 1:4—5)

OBSERVATION:

            Job was the most remarkable man of the East in his generation.  Some characteristics mark people’s lives.  What makes us different from others?  How can people know that we are this or that kind of person?  Job’s life was clearly marked and distinguished because of these characteristics. 

Job was blameless and upright.  Job feared God and shunned evil.  Job was a family man.  He had many children.  Job was a wealthy man; he owned much livestock.  Job owns a large number of servants.  Job sons used to hold feasts in their homes on birthdays, and they invited their three sisters to eat and drink with them.  Job arranged for them to be purified when the birthday parties were over.

This is an amazing thing for a parent to be concerned about his children’s condition and behavior.  He would not sit idly by and not be concerned about how his children live life.  He worries about whether they are living life in the fear of God as they should. 

Job was concerned about the spiritual life of his children.  After a party, Job would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking perhaps his children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.   I wonder how many parents do this for their children.  Maybe in this day and age, sacrifices are frowned upon.  But I wonder how many parents are genuinely concerned about the spiritual life of their children.

Job was very concerned about his children’s spiritual life.   Maybe, we do not need to offer sacrifices, but we can speak to our children about how to live a life that pleases and honor God.  We can talk to our children about sin in their life.  We can pray for our children that they may be more concerned about the fear of God than being successful in life and sports. 

Parenting must come out of the values that parents embrace and practice.  Job value his relationship with God.  He was blameless and upright.  He feared God and shunned evil.  If parents do not value these essential traits, their children will not embrace them as well.  Job valued spiritual life and modeled it for his children. 

Job modeled his relationship with God to his children regularly.  This was Job’s regular custom.  I’m sure Job’s kids must have thought, this older man is crazy.  But it’s not about the kids; it’s about Job’s responsibility to teach his children to live a godly life.  It is our responsibility as well to teach Godly life to our children.  So many children drifted away from their faith because their parents were not living out their faith as they should.  Parents are inconsistent in their faith.  Job made his spiritual activities a regular custom.  He wanted his children to know what he valued and what he shunned.

APPLICATION:

            My first responsibility to my daughter is to live a life worthy of Jesus.  I will continue to embrace the values of my faith before my daughter and others.  I will not compromise in matters of faith.  I will continue to pray for my daughter that she will continue to value her relationship with Jesus.  I will continue to strengthen my commitment and devotion to God as a regular custom in my life. 

PRAYER:

            Father, thank you for the reminder of what I must value and embrace in life.  Thank you for teaching me that my relationship with you is the most important.  Teach me to fear you and walk with you in the sincerity of heart.  I confess that I fall short of your standards and need your Holy Spirit to lead and guide me daily.  Please help me to value my relationship with you and make it a regular custom in life.  Please help me to walk a consistent walk before you and others.  In your name Jesus, Amen!