June 20, 2021
On today as we honor our fathers, may I remind them how they are blessed and rewarded by our heavenly Father. He says of children: “Lo children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 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.” (Psalm 127 3:5). It is unfortunate that there are those who view children as a liability, rather than seeing them as assets. But the Bible calls children “an heritage of the Lord,” a reward. As a father, God has highly favored you with those He values so highly. Jesus said to disciples who had become preoccupied with the organization of His earthly kingdom, and had lost sight of its divine purpose: “…Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Children are trusting by nature, they trust you fathers, and through that trust their capacity to trust God. May I remind you fathers, God is holding you accountable for how you affect your children’s ability to trust. Hear the great Apostle Paul as he speaks to fathers: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) The reward here is you will have children that will both obey and honor you. There is a difference between obeying and honoring. To obey means to do as one is told; to honor is to respect and love. Children are to obey while under their parents care, but the responsibility to honor parents is for life.
Happy Father’s Day!
Pastor J. Amos Jones
