"Choose this day whom you will serve...
...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"
- Joshua 24: 14-15 (ESV)
What team are we rooting for?
My children often ask me at football games which team is which. They also ask me which team I am rooting for. It is my joy, as a father, to explain to them the rules of the game. I point out for them which team is which, including the best players and the team colors.
The people of Israel, at the institution of the Passover, were tasked with passing on the ways of God to their children. The theme of generational shepherding, and the responsibility of parents to instill the things of God to those to come are bedrock in our Christian faith.
In Exodus 12, we read:
When your children ask you, 'Why are we doing these things? ' you will say, 'This is the Passover sacrifice to honor the LORD. When we were in Egypt, the LORD passed over the houses of Israel, and when he killed the Egyptians, he saved our homes. (Exodus 12:25-27, NCV)
In my own home, I have learned to lead my family by praying over our home, anointing the home with oil. Recently my son asked, "Daddy, why is there oil over every doorpost in our home?" I was able to explain to them that I pray for God to have his way in our home. Our children know what side we are on, and in whom we trust.
Choose a side or a side will choose you.
Recently, my wife and I have discussed the idea that whoever wants this next generation the most will have them. We recognize our duty to raise our children in the fear of the LORD, for we know that there is no greater gift we can offer to them. Putting God first in our finances by tithing and giving generously teaches them to love God first. Having family devotions is our way of feeding them with the Living Word. We also fight for them in prayer and by leading them to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
How about you? In your household, have you set yourselves apart for the things of God? Choosing God now, before a crisis hits, helps you to be intentional so as to not fall away when things get hard. Spend time today as a family talking about how to put God first. What decisions do you need to make to prioritize Jesus together? Remember, the choice to serve the Lord may not always be popular, but being on the winning team will be sweet in the end!
Joel Howard
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