David, in this psalm, had just explained the "pit" he had been in prior to his trusting the Lord. We're not sure exactly what that pit was (he had a few!) but it was a desperate and hopeless place. Have you ever been there?
I just finished working through PARENTING BY THE BOOK by John Rosemond and found it to be very stimulating. Psalm 40:4 was the opening scripture and reminds me how important it is in parenting to have the Lord be your guide. A few of the helps he gives when we find ourselves in a pit raising children:
1. If it's a two parent home, husband and wife should act as "one flesh", in other words "in one accord", together. (Genesis 2:24)
2. As the parent, live your life according to Biblical principles (Deu. 6:6-7).
3. Stay focused on the big picture - raising responsible, charitable, compassionate citizens. Don't get bogged down in the day-to-day issues or short-sighted in your focus (Prov. 22:6).
4. Be who you need to be in the child's particular season of life and then "let them fly" (my words).
(Ecc. 3:1) Mark Harris wrote "Find Your Wings" and he sang:
"I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings."
It seems more stressful to raise children today than when we were kids (what did we know?#!), but the Bible is the same and it holds valuable insight for us as parents or grandparents. Our children are a gift and we are given guidance from the Lord as to how to train them up. My desire and my prayer is that our sons will be Godly influences in the world in spite of what we may or may not have done right.
For further study: Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 30:19-20, Proverbs 3:12, 20:11, 29:17, Romans 1:22, 25, Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:20, 1 Tim 3:4-5, Titus 2:4-5, Hebrews 12:11
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.
Love,
Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment