Encouragement for Today - June 8, 2005

June 8

Encouragement for Today

“Witness the Work of God to your Children”

Glynnis Whitwer, Senior Editor P31 Woman magazine, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member, editor@proverbs31.org

Key Verse:

Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (NIV)

Devotion:

Passing the torch of faith to our children is a high and mighty calling for a mom. But sometimes it seems overwhelming. How do we make God real to our children? After we’ve taken our wee ones to church, prayed over them at night and read Bible stories, what more can a parent do to help a child embrace Christ as his or her own Savior? One way is to tell of God’s work in our own lives.

The reality of the presence of God is one thing the next generation needs to know for God to be real to them. God needs to be taken out of a storybook, out of a building and out of our imaginations and become real. This can happen when we tell of the real things that God has done in our lives.

In Deuteronomy 4:9, Moses told the people of God to teach their children what they had seen, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

The Bible has many instances where the people of God recounted the miracles the Lord had performed. He brought them out of slavery, He destroyed the Egyptian army, He brought water from a rock, He sent food from heaven. The list goes on.

The chosen people of God were told to watch closely, remember these things and TELL THEM TO THEIR CHILDREN.

You and I are still commanded to tell our children of the miracles the Lord has worked in our lives in the past, and continues to work every day.

One way is to share your testimony with your children. You need to be very wise and only give information they are able to understand and handle. Do not reveal things that would scare a young child. Tell them how you were once far from God and how He loved you in spite of that.

Another way is to pray together and watch God answer prayers. We pray every night as a family, and we always ask for any special requests. One night when Robbie was in second grade, he asked for help on the playground the next day. It seems that day he had been left out of a game. The next day he excitedly ran in the house saying, “Mommy, God answered my prayer.” Remember to thank God when He answers, and point out how God is working on our behalf.

Teach your children to watch for God closely in nature. Roman 1:20 tells us, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” One way God chooses to reveal Himself and His nature is through creation. Identify God’s mighty works and His character as you study nature.

Scripture teaches us there’s great value in recounting the works of God. As we learn to look closely for God’s work in our lives, and share it with our children, we can trust God will use it to draw our children closer to His heart.

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, help me to see Your hand in my life. Help me to examine your presence in all that surrounds me. I ask for confidence to speak of your reality to others. I pray that Your faithfulness and love will be real to the next generation. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Before we can tell of God’s goodness to the next generation, we must be aware of it in our own life. Take time to write down some things God has done for each member of your family. Then, plan to share them over time with your children, or those around you.

Reflection Points:

How can you be more careful to see the reality of God in your life?

What tools can you use to remember God’s faithfulness?

Why would it be important for us to tell the next generation about the presence of God in our lives?

In Deuteronomy 4:9, we are advised not to let what we have seen “slip from your heart.” Do you think this means something different than “to not forget”? What might it mean?

What are some specific attributes of nature that teach us about God’s power and ways? List them and share then with a child when you have the opportunity.

Power Verses:

Psalm 48:12-14, “Walk around Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (NIV)

Psalm 48:9, “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; His is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep His commands.” (NIV)

I Thessalonians 5:23-24, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (NIV)