“For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.” – Genesis 18:19 (AMP)

Abraham was a man God trusted so much and committed a lot into his hands. When God instructed him to leave his father’s land and kindred to go to a place He would show him, Abraham obeyed God with his household which includes his wife, and his servants. What level of trust his wife had in him to follow him to a place without a definite name for recognition. This begins to explain the kind of man he was. He was a man who has raised his household well.

Now, after that the Lord had visited him and confirmed His Word to him which was the promise of Isaac, God made a statement that many need to pay attention to in this generation. The Lord said He had known Abraham so that he may teach his children the way of the Lord. What an affirmation from God! The duty of every parent is to show God to their children. A parent who shows his children many things but do not teach them the way of the Lord has failed the primary purpose of having those children.

And, no child is without knowledge but the question to be asked is, what kind of knowledge or knowledge about who and what. Many parents have replaced the teachings of the Lord with their own cultural bias and hurt of the past so that their children are not able to know the Lord nor understand His ways. Before any Minister of the Gospel preaches to our children, parents are supposed to be their first Pastors and Ministers. This is the order of God.

Replacing God with the knowledge of technology and cultural dispositions that are against God makes Him unhappy with many parents today. By accurately representing God, parents can train and teach their children the ways if the Lord by first of all living it out themselves. Children don’t learn most by words but by actions. Every little compromise against the truth you make before your children does something to their hearts that replaces the genuineness of God to them.

Dear parent or soon-to-be parent, the kind of life you live is a school your children attend everyday and they learn automatically how you relate with God. Don’t ever allow something else replace God in the hearts of your children. Live so well that you would talk little when compared to your practical acts of Godliness before your children.

Reflections: What were the specific things God noticed about Abraham to make this bold statement about him? What can God say about me in regards to raising my children in the Lord’s way? Can God trust me?

Confession: I receive grace to live well both in the presence and absence of my children. The life of Christ is reflected in every of my life. The word of God is active and at work in me.

Related Scripture: Genesis 18

Bible Reading: Genesis 14