Children Are a Heritage From the Lord

School starts around here on Monday, August 24th. Signs along the streets near schools or over the highways remind us that children are back in school, to drive safely. Flashing lights warn us to slow down to 20 miles per hour because we are in a school zone. Children are crossing streets under a school guard’s care. The signs and signals warn us of the caution we should be taking as we near schools in our neighborhoods…young lives are at risk.

But does anything warn us of the ways of the world entering into the minds of our children whether at school, in front of the television or the internet, in the park, or even in the home?

“I believe that at birth, all children bear the stamp of their Creator. Their purity and innocence is a great gift. Once it has been lost, it cannot be replaced. All the more, it must be guarded as a treasure which no one has a right to destroy.” ** Johann Christoph Arnold, p. 133

“If we are going to protect innocence in a child, we need to cleanse our own hearts of pollution. Our response upon encountering a child must be nothing less than reverence. Perhaps because the word sounds old-fashioned, its true meaning has been blurred. Reverence is more than just love. It includes an appreciation for the qualities children possess (and which we ourselves have lost), a readiness to rediscover their value, and the humility to learn from them. Reverence is also an attitude of deep respect….” ** Johann Christoph Arnold, p. 133-134

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1-6

Children are beautiful creations and we need to protect them. We need to teach them God’s values and what is important to Him.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10-11

“For whatever else might define childhood, one thing is constant: it is the gathering place of life’s first and most indelible memories — the unalterable frame for all the experiences that accompany us through life. And thus, in the end, the task of bringing up children is not only a question of effective parenting, and even less one of educational insights, theories, or ideals. It is, first and foremost, a matter of the love we give them, which has power to awaken more of the same, even years down the road.” ** Johann Christoph Arnold, p. 161

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:1-3

Let us pray for our children and their teachers. I am not a parent, but I taught and now I tutor. I want to be the image of Christ in their little lives, as well as to their parents. I want to do the right thing for and with these children.

Father God, our children are returning to school. I pray for their safety, their protection by your legions of angels. I pray for a loving, respectful teacher to guide them in the matters of learning. I pray that the parents, grandparents, foster parents, be an example of Your Son to these children. They need You more than anything this world can offer. They need Your salvation as they raise these young ones. May they each and every one come to know Your Son as Lord and Savior. Father, please give the parents the wisdom to raise their children in Your Name, by Your Word. Teach them what they need in order to raise their children. Open their eyes to You, Lord. By this, they can truly raise their children in the Name of Jesus. Oh, how I want that because I want that for the innocent ones. Children are precious in Your sight. Save them from this evil world, Father. I thank You that You have a plan for them and love them dearly. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11