He lives in a relationship with others (2) - 5 September 2014
The Christian man is not just a husband to his wife, he is also a father to his children. He makes it clear that he and his family serve the Lord.
The time came again for Elkanah and his family to go to Shiloh and offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and the special sacrifice he had promised. But this time Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will take him to the house of the Lord, where he will stay all his life.” 1 Samuel 1:21-22
He accepts his responsibility to teach his children about God and therefore he speaks to his children every day about the Lord.
“Israel, remember this! The Lord—and the Lord alone—is our God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. Tie them on your arms and wear them on your foreheads as a reminder. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Like Job, he is concerned about his children’s relationship with God and he desires that his children should remain faithful to God. Read Job 1:4-5.
The dad who is a believer teaches his children to trust God,
It is the living who praise you,
As I praise you now.
Parents tell their children how faithful you are. Isaiah 38:19.
and he treats his children wisely. Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, bring them up with Christian discipline and instruction. Ephesians 6:4
He knows that he must teach his children to be obedient.
Pay attention to what your father and mother tell you, my son. Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance. Proverbs 1:8-9
How are you doing so far? Can you say: I am he?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the privilege of fatherhood. Lord, please forgive me my shortcomings and all the times I did not fulfil my responsibility of fatherhood. Thank you that I can ask you to help me to be the best father to my children. Amen