The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 7 October 2024 — Failure To Raise Godly Children
TOPIC: Failure To Raise Godly Children
READ: 1 Samuel 8:1-5 (NKJV)
- Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel.
- The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; [they were] judges in Beersheba.
- But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.
- Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah,
- and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
THE MESSAGE:
One of the purposes of Christian marriage is to raise godly children (Malachi 2: 15a). However, this important command from God has become a big challenge, especially in this age where peer pressure, technology, bad leaders and harsh economies take a toll on families. Some great men of God and Christians have failed to raise godly children. Prophet Samuel in today’s text had sons who took bribes and perverted justice. This led Israel to ask for a king like other nations, which offended God and Samuel. This shows that godliness is not inherited but intentionally inculcated into children. The grave consequences of failure to do this are enormous. For example, the rejection of Samuel’s children by Israel led to the termination of God’s approved leadership style for His people. Again, the bad behaviour of Eli’s children led to the termination of the priesthood in his lineage and the death of his children (1 Samuel 2: 27-36).
God cannot compromise His standard in this command, so parents and leaders should rise to this challenge to raise godly children. Note that God testified that Abraham would train his household in righteousness (Genesis 18: 19) and Lois trained Eunice who also inculcated godliness in Timothy (2 Timothy 1: 5). Beloved, what are the testimonies of your own children? Are they like Samuel’s children or Eunice’s son, Timothy? Do all you can in spite of busy schedules and challenges, to raise godly children for God.
PRAYER: Lord help me to become more committed to inculcate godliness in the lives of the younger generation in Jesus’ name.
