Inspirational message

Last week we looked at the beginning of Psalm 112 that says, “Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.” Following this first verse, the Psalmist gives the first result of this kind of a person: “His children will be mighty in the land.”

A father and mother who fear God and long to obey God in spite of the circumstances, accomplishes at least three things in their children.

First, these children have confidence. The confidence comes from seeing their parents trust the Lord. They find God to be absolutely faithful in every way because they see him at work in those closest to them. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”

Second, these children have purpose. In a world longing for someone in authority to tell them their true purpose in this life, children who have parents who follow after Christ, see this purpose and begin to learn how to live it out. They begin to understand God made them to accomplish something great for him that gives true fulfillment.

Third, these children have love. This word gets thrown around loosely today. However, the child who sees true love demonstrated by her parents to herself and others know that it can only come out of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) God’s design is that he changes parents first and then children which impacts others and generations in the future.

The Psalmist ends verse 2 with “the generation of the upright will be blessed.” Blessing will come to the current generation and future generations of the man and woman who fear the Lord and obey his commands. This is a great promise that each of us can claim for our families and ourselves.

If you are like me, you have not done everything right as a parent or a grandparent. However, today is a new day. Start by bowing before the Lord and asking him to create in you a healthy fear and the desire and willingness to obey him. Based on God’s promises, you will one day see the spiritual fruit you long for in your children and your children’s children.

John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, once said, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” Lord, help us to be faithful today for the sake of your kingdom and the children who come after us.