Proverbs 14:26 " He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge."
As I was reading my Bible the other day, this Proverb really spoke to me. I have read it so many times before, but today it seemed brand new. Throughout Proverbs we are taught that the fear of the Lord is - the sign of a man whose walk is upright, leads to life, and in Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..."
This morning we were looking at Colossians 3:12-25, in verse 21 it says, "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." I think men often focus on fixing things, on establishing rules, and trying to lead their family - but we often fail to read our instruction manuals. When we look to the world for how to be a father we are setting ourselves up for failure - eventually the pressures of the world will crush us.
We must turn to God daily to renew our strength, provide counsel, and give us the wisdom to model his love for our children and families. When we take the time to build our relationship with God and allow His love to flow through us, everyone is blessed and our children see His light in us. Children are a precious loan from God, we must never forget they are His children - we are trusted to care for them, and instructed to teach and guide them. We often hear preachers talk about being "good stewards" with our resources (time, talent, and treasure), are you being a good steward with your children? Are you setting them up for failure or are you building that refuge for them - eventually they will have to face the world, are you the safe house they seek or just another source of disappointment and discouragement?
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