MAY 31 READING…2 SAMUEL 13-14 & PSALM 36
There is a sad reality even in the homes of believers. Both good and bad people come out of good homes. Parents can have a heart for God, follow Him faithfully, and raise their children in Him, and some will love the Lord, while others may not. Every person has to decide whether or not they will follow the Lord. There is no such thing as corporate salvation…nor is there any such thing as family salvation. Of course, there is a great advantage to being born in a Christian home, and while in that home, every member experiences the blessings of the presence of the Lord. But, the time comes when every individual, regardless of the experiences of their upbringing has to decide whether they will trust in the Lord for themselves. Some might say, “But what about Proverbs 22:6…’Raise up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it.” That is a proverb, that gives the child the opportunity to start off right and finish well. That is a message to be good parents…but it is a proverb, not a promise. A proverb is a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice. Each person is responsible before the Lord, the day they become able to be responsible. David’s children rejected the Lord…there was incest, there was rebellion, there was brother murdering brother, and finally there was an attempt to dethrone David. Some might say that is the result of David being a bad parent…maybe and maybe not. Some might say, “Well, I failed in many areas as a parent”. That is true of all of us, and we are accountable for what we did, but our adult offspring are responsible before God for what they do with Him. In the Psalm, the Lord is both praised and feared for His righteous judgment of the wicked. And though we can look at people’s actions, and hold them accountable for what they do…only the Lord knows the heart, judgment belongs to Him, and His judgment is always right.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…2 SAMUEL 15-16 & PSALM 3 & 70-71