- By Rev. Chandran J. Lite
- Posted 10/15/2017
"He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which He commanded our ancestors
to teach their children" - V.5
The classical poet Virgil, "As the twig is bent, so the tree inclines". Francis Xavier said, "Give a child for the first seven years, and you may do what you like with him afterwards".Children are important part of our faith community. They are important to us because they are important to God.
In the opening verses of Psalm 78, the importance of passing our faith to our kids is stressed. Our children are one of the most precious resources. They are the world of tomorrow. And, therefore, the nature of our children must be one of our greatest priorities. We, as parents, must pass on to our children, the words(Torah) and the deeds(V. 1-4) of our loving and living God in order to help them grow spiritually.
Parents who have received by His Grace, His revealed will and word, have a moral obligation to pass them to their children. It is a mandate, and God expects us to carry it out.
Moreover, Children do not belong to us. They are the heritage of God(Ps. 127:3). Our responsibility is to help them grow in the knowledge of God.
Knowing God's words and deeds in the lives of Israel in the past, will enable the children to love God's commands(V.7) and also live differently from their ancestors - who were stubborn and rebellious(V. 8)
Do you have children? Have you passed on to your kids words and deeds of God? Are you an example to your kids by word and deed? God bless you.
Yours in His service,
Servant Chandran Lite