When the question is asked: “What would we NOT do for our own children?” ...it is usually asked in a rhetorical manner with the understanding that we love them so much that we would do whatever was needed to ensure they have everything they need in this life to thrive and ‘succeed’.

This can play out in so many ways, whether it is working extra jobs to pay for a host of pressing needs over time, or to sacrificing your own desires and dreams to help your children pursue their’s. And if a child needed a vital organ transplant, it’s usually the parents who are first in line ready to make that donation if they ‘match’.

But have you ever considered who might have even a greater interest in seeing your own children thrive and be blessed beyond your own personal desires? Yep...it would be the Lord, Himself. I mean...did He not already pay the ultimate sacrifice for us all...even while we were yet ‘sinners’ (Rom. 5:8)?

So, here’s a question to consider and ask yourself, and let me warn you, it can be quite convicting. Why not take God up on His promise who also has your children’s best interest at heart, probably even more so than you...and give ear to what He says... since this is God’s way to insure your children are blessed ‘exceedingly and abundantly more than you could ever imagine or ask’ (Eph. 3:20)

As usual, all I can do is present scripture for you to read, study, and meditate upon, and trust that if there is any relevant truth for you to take in... that God will confirm it to you. But please also remember that we are cautioned that simply ‘hearing the word’ while failing to act upon it will only lead to deception and yes...even destruction over time (James 1:22; Matt. 7:24-27)

I should also mention that you will see quite a contrast in some of these passages I share here that might cause an unsuspecting reader to see ‘contradictions’ when it comes to the intentions and desires that God may have, and that would be a mistake.

Paul writes in Romans that we should ‘consider both the goodness of God...and the severity (harshness) of God, pointing back to how God dealt with previous generations. He then affirms that one can expect His ‘goodness...IF...we continue in His goodness...or else...” (Rom. 11:21-22).

“Does not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?” (Lam. 3:38)

And people wonder why there seems to be an acute shortage of the ‘fear of God’ today (Rom. 3:18)

It would be easy for the unbelieving ‘skeptic’ to look around at all the suffering in this world, where it appears that young innocent children take the brunt of much of it, and want to ask: “If you really believe in a loving God...how can He allow such suffering to take place?” And who here has never wrestled with that ‘dilemma’ before? I know I have, and often. I would also add that for anyone to think or believe that God has no concern for children...would be a grave and serious error on your part.

Jesus reveals the Father’s heart repeatedly in expressing love and concern for children. We see in the gospels on one occasion where the crowds were pressing in and people were bringing their young kids to have Jesus bless them; and the disciples tried to manage some ‘crowd control’ by shooing away all the kids and were sternly rebuked by Jesus. “Leave the children alone and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt. 19:13-15)

We read in another place where Jesus warned: “It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck, and you were thrown into the sea...than for you to cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:2). Take an extra moment or two...with that one.

And among the multiple ‘woes’ Jesus pronounced on the Pharisees, one of them was directed at their absurd attempts to ‘win converts’ at great lengths, only to make them a ‘two-fold child of hell’ in the end because they led them to harden their hearts towards God as they themselves had clearly done. (Matt. 23:15)

But if you really want some insight to God’s heart and how He feels towards children, spend some time reading through Deuteronomy where Moses is preparing this next generation to go in to possess this land God has reserved for them. This was not some vacation Airbnb spot He was leading them into for a brief stay; it was where He planned to establish them and settle them so they might be a ‘holy nation’ set apart where He could bless them in more ways than one could imagine. And as you read through this book, you see a reoccurring theme laid out: Do what I say, heed my words/commands...SO THAT...SO THAT...SO THAT...it may be well with you ...and with your children...

“Oh...that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever.” (Deut. 5:29)

God was looking far ahead at future generations, and He so desired for them to know Him and His goodness, even promising them divine protection, provision, and healing...as long as they listened to Him. And friends...when did God change? (Mal. 3:6; 2 John 2; 1 John 5:18)  And He put it on the parents to instill in their children the importance of knowing God and His word and then living out. before them, what it means to love God with all one's heart.

But let us not forget the ‘severity of God’ either, as His promises often come, not only with conditions...but consequences as well ... if/when we fail to heed His word. That passage I quote regularly here from Hosea 4:6...begins with how God’s people are ‘destroyed for a lack of knowledge’; but the last part of that verse comes with a chilling admission: “.... because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

So for all those noble, heart-warming affirmations we like to make as to how we’d do anything for our children to ensure they have a fully blessed life...God is encouraging us to align our own hearts and lives up with Him. That sounds like a good place to start; that is if we really want God’s best for not only our lives, but the lives of our beloved children as well; what say you?  If not for yourself, then why not... for your own children at least?

More tomorrow....Lord willing.