“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6;4).
Dear Heavenly Father, we have come to the last five days of this month of February, a short month with a large agenda! I wish the entire month could be declared, the month of LOVE, when we share love with one another, especially, those closest to us, the ones we tend to take for granted. Teach us how to make every day a LOVE day, by making You, the God of Love, the Guest of Honor in our homes! In the name of Jesus Christ we pray! Amen.
For the following three devotionals we will share some thoughts about the family. Today, we begin with the father. The shepherd, or priest, and main provider, in most cases. However, in our changing society, this is not necessarily the case any longer. Even though they both may have their college degrees, one profession might be in greater demand than the other, and that could determine who becomes the main provider.
In a home where love reigns, that would not be a problem. For in marriage, the “two become one,” and there is a vocabilary change when love is the language they both speak. Their Me, becomes We, and their Mine, becomes Ours, because they are one!
Also, because of the late hours dad may have to work; or his job may be one that includes a lot of traveling, mom may have to take on the role of shepherd or priest, sometimes. However, I would encourage dad, as often as possible, be the shepherd or priest, of the home.
In the case of a single parent, whoever is raising the child(ren), should be the shepherd, or priest, in the home. You will notice the importance I have put on a spiritual leader in the home. That is because in Psalm 127:1, we read, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” (Emphasis supplied).
God is the builder who turns a house into a home! And it is arounf the family altar that children learn that God is a real part of the family, who the members worship daily. This sets the example for them to establish their own quiet time with Him and have a personal relationship with Him, which is vital to their salvation.
What is of greatest importance however, is that the father, or parent, be a shepherd or priest, after God’s own heart. When God is the father’s shepherd or priest, the home will be built upon principles of love, respect, mercy, patience, gentleness, and integrity, to mention a few!
Fathers, be the same behind closed doors, as you are in public. Too often, as parents, we parent in public, and abuse in private. That won’t work in the preparation of good citizens in this world, and for the world to come! Dads, if you want the respect of the members of your family, you need to “walk the talk!”
We often wonder, how is it that our children become the men and women that they are, when we taught them to be good boys and girls. Take a walk down memory lane, and we might discover that while we were raising them, our lives were speaking so loud, that our words could not be heard!
Fathers, the advice is: “do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” It is easier for your children to follow you, if you faithfully follow the Lord. So heed the word of the Lord, and by His grace, you will raise children for the kingdom of God!