Police were sent to a home in response to a report of domestic child abuse. When they arrived at the house, they found a scared four-year-old girl with a black eye, swollen cheek, and bruises covering a majority of her tiny frame. The officers were devastated when they asked her to say her name and she meekly replied, “Idiot.”
In light of this particularly heart-wrenching example of both physical and emotional abuse, Psalm 127 has some vital words of wisdom for those who’ve been entrusted with children. Many believers in Jesus are familiar with verse 3, which says, “Children are a gift from the Lord ; they are a reward from him.” Indeed, this verse is frequently attached to birth announcements and is spoken often by parents who are experiencing joy for the children with which God has blessed them (Psalm 127:5).
Theologian Albert Barnes says that Psalm 127 “emphasizes the happiness God intends for parents to derive through having children, and explains the divine favor bestowed on parents whom God’s entrusted with children’s lives, health and virtues.”
But if people view kids as a burden, abuse will sometimes follow. For those struggling to love and protect their children, Barnes suggests looking deeply into this passage and recognizing that as we depend on God and are guided by the Scriptures, we’ll receive what’s needed to wisely and lovingly nurture them.
If you’re not a parent, consider how you can be used to love and encourage children. Most of us have children in our lives that we’re influencing in some way. May we be encouraged that the Bible can help us better understand and live out our roles. And may we seek the Holy Spirit’s power in living out His love for children.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 3:22-36
More:
Read Mark 10:13-15 and consider how Jesus compassionately cared for children.
Next:
Who are the children you’re influencing in some way? What can you do to uniquely contribute to the lives of children in your life?
Gary Shultz on June 20, 2017 at 5:58 am
Hi Roxanne: God certainly does love children. He gives them a softness of heart to Him and others. Working with children is of very great value. There is so much we can learn from their uncluttered fresh minds. All of us have been molded in some way from our childhood. Okay, you got me, it’s easy to talk, or in this case write about this field of ministering, but do we really do anything about it? This year my work schedule changed and I was able to volunteer for Bible school. I hope this fall I will be able to help in AWANA. Even though many decades separate me from the children, it’s time to reinvest in this important time with very young souls. I must even believe that if I allow God’s Spirit to guide and instruct me I may be of useful ministry. Continue to reminds us of the value of these young lives, for Christ’s sake. Thanks Roxanne
don777 on June 20, 2017 at 6:09 am
As we seek Christ whole heatedly, The Spirit of the Lord will shine through in every part of our lives. If Christ is not the center of our life than that will show. Children can spot an impostor faster than anyone.
Matthew 18:6 (NKJV) “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. +>i
Tom Felten on June 20, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Roxanne, it’s so important for us to view children as the image-bearers of God that they are. How we treat them is a reflection of how we view God and His love for us. May we lovingly nurture the children God has place in our lives!