The righteous lead a blameless life, blessed are the children who come after. ~Proverbs 20:7
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely. Their children will be blessed. ~Psalm 37:25-26
It’s important to remember that proverbs are not statements guaranteeing a certain outcome, rather, they are observations of the usual, predictable outcomes based on what Solomon has noticed about the behavior of man and what He knows of the promises and character of God. Solomon is not necessarily saying here, if you, as a parent, behave in a righteous manner then, your children will definitely live a better life, but that they have a better chance of also having a blessed life. But we must remember, their own choices, though influenced by our example, may reject our counsel and still go off the path.
The home you provide, the love, nurture and guidance, will give your child a better chance at living well. It’s sort of like saying, the person who tends their garden well, has a better chance of harvesting a bountiful crop. When you intentionally do as you should, through time and discipline, to bring about a good outcome in any area, you are more likely to be successful, just still not guaranteed. Storms and disasters happen. Things don’t always go well. The storms of life can break you, and they most likely will. Yet, because of the foundation you have laid on the rock of righteousness, you are more likely to see recovery and restoration.
“I am young and now I am old, but I have never seen the righteous forsaken.” David probably wrote this as an old man, looking back over his life as a testimony to God’s faithfulness through everything. In fact, David may be the best person to make these claims about the children being blessed when the parents are righteous because he knows that it is when he turned away from God’s ways and became steeped in sin and self-indulgence that all of the trouble also began with his children.
Before he had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, we hear nothing about any trouble in David’s home, only blessing. But after his grievous sins, he lost three sons: one in infancy, one at the hands of another son, and one killed as the result of an attempted coup against David’s kingdom. His daughter was raped by a son and there was no blessing. But God’s love is so amazing that when David repented, God restored. So much so, that the kingdom was passed to a son who can now testify, “blessed are the children who come after.”
It’s hard, as a godly parent, to watch your children struggle and not ask yourself, “What did we do wrong?” This is our feeling even though we know they are ultimately responsible for their own choices. Kathy and I often wish we had handled some situations differently or wish we had understood better then what we finally understand now. However, we, like David, can testify to God’s faithfulness through so much! What gives us the most hope is that the final chapter hasn’t been written. God is still working in our children as He is working in our lives. He is just as faithful to them as He has been to us and that is the best inheritance of all.
Prayer: Father, You have laid out the principles and precepts that make life work well. But I was born a sinner, wanting to do things my way. The task of bringing my will into alignment with Yours is what leads to blessings. But the world, the flesh, and the devil are against it, in me and in my children. Help us Lord, lead and guide Good Shepherd, and I pray that we all walk with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song: Find Us Faithful
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