Our Children Are Listening
Two timely questions stand out to me in Psalm 4:
How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? (verse 2b)
and
Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?” (verse 6a)
Those are questions we can easily ask as we look around us. In spite of those questions, we simply must hold tightly to God’s promises. Immediately following Psalm 4:2 is this confidence:
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.
Psalm 4:3
As we discussed yesterday, God is listening. Immediately after Psalm 4:6a is this assurance:
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!Â
You have put joy in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:6b-8
The Lord alone makes us dwell in safety. God is listening so that He can help us. Our children are listening so they can learn how to live, how to trust, and how to lie down and sleep knowing that God alone makes them dwell in safety.
Now may the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you will abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
- While others shout in anger, let’s give gentle answers that turn away wrath.
- While others use their hands to point their fingers at others, let’s use our hands to serve them.
- While others wring their hands, let’s put our hands in God’s hands.
That’s what our children need to hear and what they need to see us do.
. . . sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,
always being ready to make a defenseÂ
to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,
but with gentleness and respect . . .
1 Peter 3:15