Trophies

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3. You know, that is one of those common verses of Scripture, the kind that people know so well they almost skim over it as they read it. As I began to pray and ask the Lord about this devotion; it became very evident to me that this is the verse God wanted me to use. As I ponder back on when my children were small and how quickly the time passed in raising them; I realize just how precious the time we have with our children truly is.

So often today women can’t stand "just staying home with the kids;" “they’ll go stir crazy” or they just can’t stand being cooped up all day…or some will say things like “this kid is driving me nuts” or other things that imply they don’t want to be with their children. There are those who don’t feel staying at home with their children is as rewarding as earning their way and place in the world. The Bible teaches us that our children are very special, not only to us, but to God.

1. They are really God’s. A heritage is property that is inherited. We inherit our children from God. He gives them to us. We are stewards of God’s children. That’s why it’s not up to us to decide how to raise our children; it’s up to us to find out how God wants us to raise His children.

2. Children are a reward. The second part of Psalm 127:3 states, "the fruit of the womb is his reward." Reward means re: back (to give back) ward: one you guard. So it means that you give back to God the children He has placed in your care. I like to think of it in this way: God gave me my children to raise for His glory and service.

When we talk about earning a reward for something, I think of a Trophy. My children have all won trophies for specific achievements in their sporting fields. I believe that our children should be trophies for God’s glory.

Imagine the construction of a trophy, and let's parallel that with raising children.

1. It is set on a strong and sturdy foundation. Psalm 127:1 “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Jesus, the Word of God should be the foundation for our lives.

2. Each portion of a trophy is set erect. Psalm 127:4 “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.” Every step and stage of our children’s’ lives should be aimed at Jesus.

3. A trophy clearly shows what it is representing. Psalm 127:5 "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.” Our children should stand for Christ and not be ashamed. Our lives and the lives of our children should represent Christ.

Remember these three things about our children as God’s trophies.
1. They must be trained from the Word of God
2. They must be continually directed to the Word of God, to Jesus.
3. They will not be ashamed to take a stand for God.

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