There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 115
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. [Psalm 115:14-15]
Some people send their kids to the best schools, so that they can succeed.
Some people give their children all the greatest toys, or sign them up for as many clubs and camps and opportunities possible – so they can be happy.
Some people wish they could, because they too want their children to be blessed.
But are they looking to the wrong things for success, happiness, blessing?
Are they actually doing their kids a favour?
Or should we rethink the values and priorities we are impressing on them.
Should we maybe give the glory to God, and not to these idols?
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them… And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. [Matthew 10:13,16]
For some reason, these parents were looking to Jesus for blessing.
I suspect the psalmist would have smiled when he saw this, he knew that it is the Lord’s blessing that will cause us to flourish, both us and our children.
The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless his people Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike. [Psalm 115:12-13]
Parents are very eager to take care of their children as best they can: they invest all kinds of time and energy in their diet, their happiness, their education, their clothes, etc (most of it necessary, but much of it extravagant, over the top).
But I suspect that many parents neglect their children’s spiritual well-being.
Yes, I know that there is such a thing as spiritual abuse, but there is also such a thing as spiritual neglect, and neither of these are good for children.
We are fools if we think we can ignore the spiritual condition of our lives, or of our children – we do not need more things, more education, more experiences, we need inner peace and order.
Why else is it that we live in a society where people have abundantly more than they need, yet they are tragically less happy and at peace than those with nothing.
The answer is because we are trusting in idols, we are giving the glory to things that are not worth it, we trust in the wrong things for blessing.
We are going to the wrong place, hoping for a blessing.
The best thing we can do for ourselves, and our children, is to bring them to the Lord, that he may place His hands on them and bless them!
Trust in the LORD— he is your help and shield. [Psalm 115:9]
PRAYER:
Lord, I bring my family to You for Your blessing. May we flourish spiritually, on the inside, so that the rest of our life may be truly fulfilled and happy.