Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

29 January 2024

Reading From Genesis 48-50

“When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?”

‘They are the sons God has given me here,’ Joseph said to his father.

Then Israel said, ‘Bring them to me so I may bless them.’”

–Genesis 48:8-9

     This passage of Scripture shows that children are blessings from God to be cherished, not disposable liabilities.  Every human life is valuable to God and should be treated with dignity and respect.  We are made in His spiritual image and therefore we need to value one another.  This, of course, includes children.  The psalmist wrote, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”[1]  Even from conception, a baby is to be loved and nurtured.[2]  As a child learns to interact with the world around them, they are very trusting of loving parents and adults and begin to grasp simple concepts.  Jesus knew this and taught that unless adults trust in God with simple, humble,[3] child-like faith, they would not inherit eternal life.[4]

     The Good News of Jesus is a simple but powerful message that even children can understand and access.  When adults attempt to complicate following the Lord, it creates unnecessary obstacles to coming to God the Father in faith and experiencing the abundant, eternal life He provides.[5]  Children are invaluable to the family of God.  They are not only the future of the church and the whole world, they are an integral part of the church today.  Such hope and promise for the future needs to be invested in.  It isn’t enough to just bring a child into the world, he or she must be provided for, protected, cared for, educated and loved.[6]  If we say that we value life, then we must also work to improve quality of life by sharing what we have with others in need[7] and making healthy, well-rounded disciples.[8]  Brighten the corner where you are.

     “Lord, thank You for Your example of valuing human life no matter what age the person is.  Open my eyes to opportunities to bless others in practical and spiritual ways.  I pray that I would be intentional as I invest in the next generation.  Thank You for the children in my life.  They are blessings from You.  Amen.”

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

–Psalm 139:13-16

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[1] Psalm 127:3

[2] Psalm 139:13-16

[3] Micah 6:8

[4] Mark 10:13-16

[5] Luke 17:2, I Timothy 1:4

[6] Proverbs 22:6, I Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 13:22, Ephesians 6:4

[7] Ephesians 4:28

[8] Matthew 28:19, Mark 12:28-34