Wednesday #4 Devotion

Proverbs 6:20-22 (Amp) (20)My son, keep your father's [God-
given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your
mother [taught you]. (21)Bind them continually upon your heart
and tie them about your neck, (22)When you go, the [the words of
your parents' God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep
you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.

What is the purpose of teaching our children to obey God and to follow after
righteousness? Do we train our children to simply parrot our beliefs? Do we
teach them the right choices for the sake of our reputations? Are we trying to
impress others with our children's behavior?

God tells us here what will happen when we train our children in the Word of God.
He says that when they go (to school, the mall, to college, into their own lives) the
training that we have given them will lead them. The Hebrew definition of that
word "lead" is, "to guide, bring forth, and govern." When we train our children
right, we are equipping them to have the ability to follow after God even when we
are not around.

The verses also say that when they sleep, the training will keep them. That word
"keep" means, "guard, protect, be a watchman of, to keep within bounds, and
preserve." Wow, what a refreshing thing to know. What we are giving our children
has protective properties as much as it has spiritual maturing properties.

Finally, it says here that our training will talk to our children when they wake.
That word "wake" means, "to be around out of sleep." That could mean physical
or spiritual slumber. That work "talk" means, "commune, speak, ponder, and sing."
The training that we give our children will someday have the opportunity to talk to
them, maybe when they are in need of it most.

What we are investing into our children will at some point in their lives benefit
them. It may help them steer clear of a very dangerous situation or association.
It may help them stay close to righteousness in the midst of temptation. Or it may,
like it did me, save their life or cause life to be brought forth when none was believed
to have the possibility to exist.

The fact is, the Word of God that we place inside the hearts of our children will become
a companion to them for rest of their lives. That's It's job. But, if we don't give it to them,
then it won't have the change to do It's job. So, let's start this moment, this second and
purpose to be the kind of parent that teachers our children God's Word and His Will. Then,
get ready to watch as It fellowships in their hearts and lives with them.

Confession: I will train my children according to God's direction and His
guidance. I train them according to the Word of God. When my children go,
that training will lead them. When they sleep, it will keep them. And when
they awake, it shall talk with them.