Did you know that the Bible says children are a gift and reward from God? (Psalm 127: 2-5)
It's not some religious idea propagated by any particular church, it's the Word of God. The same living and active word of God that tells us we are lost and need to be saved and how that can miraculously happen.
The same Word that speaks of the coming Messiah for hundreds of years before the prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The same word that tells us how God became man and lived amongst us, was tempted like we are but did not succumb, was falsely accused as we are, was tortured and crucified for our sake.
It doesn't matter which version of the Bible you read, they all reveal the very heart of the living God and His plans for our lives. Us as individuals. He tells us He knows us better than we know ourselves, He says He knows the number of hairs on our heads, He says He has us carved in the palm of His hand, He says He gave His life for us. He made the supreme sacrifice for us. And what does he require of us in return?
".....the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Fear the Lord if you are wise!..."
Micah 6:8,9
Seems quite simple doesn't it?
1. Do what is right.
2. Love mercy.
3. Walk humbly with God.
You might ask "but what's this got to do with having children?" You might think, surely we are in control of our lives, surely our God given free will is to enable us to make decisions? Surely having children is a personal thing? Surely we are entitled to some fun before we have children? but, but, but, but......
Think about it some more if you dare! There are so many conditions we often seek to satisfy before deciding to allow God to give us this "gift and reward" of children. (What other blessing from God do we accept only under our conditions?) Can we afford them? Is our relationship stable enough? Is the house/car big enough? How we will ever have any quality time together again? What about "me" time?
Where are those scriptures again? The ones about me, me and me? Yeh, I can't find them either. I find the ones that say trust and obey, die to yourself and follow me, stay on the narrow path and don't be like the world is, be in the world but not of it, cast all your cares on Him and don't be anxious about anything!!
Trusting God is not an optional extra upon becoming a Christian. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and how do we please Him if we do not welcome and submit to His ways, all of them, it's not multiple choice.
What blessing would you like from God today?
a) financial security
b) good health
c) children
d) a good job
e) all of the above
Take your pick, choose carefully now, future generations might depend on you........or not.
When I was first married many years ago I reluctantly agreed with my husband that we would wait five years before we had children. Seemed reasonable, we could gain financial benefits from me working for a few years, buy a house, have a family. Like in fairy tales, you know...
When the time came for us to generously allow God to bless us, nothing happened. Time passed, still nothing happened. I went to a specialist and after some tests which included minor surgery, I was told it was unlikely I would ever have any children. I guess the fairy tale came to an abrupt halt around then. I was devastated. It had never crossed my mind I would not be able to have the large family I had dreamed of. Then I decided to trust God. Better late than never I suppose. I didn't know Him then, but I knew He could help. I trusted I could be healed and that I would have children regardless of predictions by the so called "expert".
Five months later I found out I was having a baby!! Such jubilation!! My son was born and then a daughter two years later. My third pregnancy became a threatened miscarriage at 12 weeks. I was terrified. The danger passed and my second daughter was born. Then my desperate prayers were answered and I gave my life to the Lord. That's another story. My next pregnancy was three years later. I was so happy as I didn't feel sick as I had with the others and I was relieved about that. Sadly, at 14 weeks of pregnancy, my baby Grace went to be with the Lord. (she would have been 21 this year) Not what I had planned at all. My world turned upside down. It was a very traumatic time in my life.
I did not have another baby for six years. She was also a threatened miscarriage at 9 weeks. I was almost paralyzed with fear and so thankful when the pregnancy progressed normally after the scare. I really wanted that baby in my arms and not with the Lord just then.
My husband deserted us when Naomi was five weeks old. Another long story.
I guess I have learned the hard way that my will has it's painful consequences, just as God's will is for our good and to fulfill His purposes. That doesn't mean His way is easy or always pleasant, but He is always faithful, even when we are faithless!
I do have two more little ones with the Lord from my second marriage, but as I always say, that's yet another story....
Psalm 127: 3-5 NLT
Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.
