Today I am reading a devotional thought from F. B. Mayer on Job that contains some wisdom tidbits worthy of sharing. Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and renounced God in their hearts. Job 1:5 (R.V.).
TIMES of festivity are always full of temptation. The loins are relaxed, the girdle of the soul is loosed. Amid the general hilarity and the passing of the merry joke, words are said and thoughts permitted which are not always consistent with the character of God and his glorious kingdom and service. Job was not wrong, therefore, in supposing that his children might have contracted some defiling stain. It necessary for some of us to move in society, and to attend festive gatherings. As the Lord went to the wedding feast, and accepted Simon's invitation, so must we. The sphere of our life lies necessarily in the world. But when we are entering scenes of recreation and pleasure we should be more than ever careful to put on our armour, and by previous meditation and prayer prepare ourselves for the inevitable temptation; and when it is all over, and the lights are down, we should quietly review our behaviour under the light that streams from the Word of God. If we then are made aware of frivolous or uncharitable words, of jealousy because others have outshone us, or of pride at the splendour of our dress and the brilliance of our talk, we must confess it, and obtain forgiveness and restoration. What a beautiful example is furnished by Job to Christian parents! When your girls are going among strangers, and your boys into the great ways of the world, and you are unable to impose your will upon them, as in the days of childhood, you can yet pray for them, casting over them the shield of intercession, with strong cryings and tears. They are beyond your reach; but by faith you can move the arm of God on their behalf. –F.B. Meyer
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV) And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Ask anyone what they would consider the toughest jobs on planet earth and you would get a long list of a variety of rugged occupations. Ask them where they would place parenting and most would agree that it tops the list. No calling carries the responsibility and is more demanding than that of being a good parent. Parenting is an on-the-job, never-ending training that requires hands-on experience and a 24/7/365 daily attention. Ask any parent that has changed a baby and they will tell you, parenting requires a strong stomach. Nonetheless, parenting is the biggest honor ever bestowed on a person by God. Thus the Bible addresses the requirements of a person to be a good parent. Near the top of the list is one big don't and one big do! The don't is simple. Don't be passive! Passiveness is to be indifferent, unconcerned, apathetic to the child and his or her needs. Passive is unloving. Passiveness leaves the child without guidance, instruction, and discipline. When a parent is indifferent to a child, they teach a disregard for life and God. The child is detached from love and has no assurance of protection or acceptance.
On the positive side, the Bible teaches us that parents should be proactive. They should love with an unending and unconditional love; they should instruct the child in the ways of the Lord. The child is nurtured and taught that they are important both to the family and to the Lord. This kind of hands-on-proactive parenting requires the help of the Holy Spirit, and parents willing to observe the teaching of the Bible -- and much prayer. The following Bible verses will reinforce this article and will be helpful to parents. Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 3:12; Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21; Psalms 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 29:17 These quotations and blog articles may be helpful
