–bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. –Ephesians 6:4
Not a day passes but what I think about the welfare of children in some respect. Of course when you have 34 grand-kids that’s easy to do. Add to that the fact that as a pastor, I see the tragedies of wayward lives and broken homes unfold before my very eyes over and over again. When I think about the difficult days that are ahead I weep for the children. If ever there was a time for concern it is now.
Children are exposed to great dangers in this wicked world, but perhaps the most dangerous place in all the world is in the very home where they reside. It is here that their value system is established and their character is developed and, in a sense, their future is determined. We parents should be always at our best for their sake. Consider these words from James Smith in 1865, written in reference to Psalm 106:38 “And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood.”
We may plead guiltless as to the shedding of the blood of the body — but there is the blood of souls! How many of us have sacrificed our children to the idols of the present Canaan — fashion, custom, dress, amusements, and worldly conformity in general!
Look at the poor example we give them!
Look at the worldly company we choose for them!
Look at the carnal practices we allow them to indulge in!
O how many of our children have been sacrificed to custom, fashion, and the various idols of the world!
As I said, indeed the modern “Christian” home can be the most dangerous place on earth for our children. If we fail as parents our own dear children will have to pay the horrible price. We’ve got just one shot to get it right–God forbid that we fail! We need to show them that God comes first. They need to understand that God’s will is always right, best, and the safest place on earth.
