HAPPY FATHER’S DAY (2015)!
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers. We thank God for you and for your influence. You are important. You are important to your wife, your children, and the church and to society. David declared, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Ps. 127:3-5).
Adam, Abraham, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Eli, Samuel, David, Solomon, Larry Acuff…! Whoa! Larry Acuff? What is that name doing in this list? All of us have something in common; we are fathers. The Bible reveals the kind of fathers all of these men were/are with one exception…Larry Acuff. However, that information is recorded by God but not revealed. However, in one way it is revealed.
Our children are a reflection of us; otherwise, why would Solomon record, “Train up a child in the way he should: and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6) or Paul’s words, “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4) Did you ever hear the phrase, “A chip off the old block?” Is that our children?
In reflecting upon the above list, there is another common trait among us; and that is we all made mistakes. Adam’s son killed his brother, Abraham had a child by Sarai’s maid in effort to help God fulfill His promise (Gen. 16), Lot led his family to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (which eventually became their down fall); Eli and Samuel didn’t restrain their children and Solomon raised an arrogant king. What about Larry Acuff? Mistakes? Yes, a thousand times yes, mistakes. Fathers, there are no “do-overs” rearing children. So here goes with some do-overs.
One is that I would not assume that because I am a preacher and carry the Bible that my children will have the same spiritual attitude. Children must be taught from birth, and they must see in your life a spiritual attitude. Most who will read this are not preachers. Don’t assume because you go to worship every Sunday your children will when they are grown.
Two is that I would help them see the “do’s” of Christianity and not just the “don’ts”. It is a joy to be a Christian. It is a joy to study. It is a joy to assemble with the saints. Assembling with the saints once a week will not set the tone. The need to absorb the love of Christianity and not just the ritual is essential. When sons of elders become elders, you know something more than just being there has been instilled in their heart.
Father be the spiritual leader your children need.
Larry