Day 11 | Children

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Psalm 78:4–7

The goal of parenting is not raising well-behaved children. The goal of parenting is not raising children who have the best GPA and get into the best college. The goal of parenting is not raising children who excel on the court or field. Those things are all well and good, but they are not the goal. 

The goal of parenting is raising children who “set their hope in God and [do] not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” The ultimate prize in parenting is children who believe the gospel, put their hope and trust in Jesus, and walk in obedience to him.

To be clear, none of us have the ability to save our children—but we do have the responsibility to “set up the date” if you will. We are to put the “the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” on full display, all the while asking the Lord to transform their hearts. Let’s pray to that end today.

Prayer prompt: Pray for our children to come to saving faith and grow in obedience to God.