May 27
Children are a Gift of the Lord
Listed among the gatekeepers was a man named Obed-edom. This man was blessed by the Lord because he kept the ark at his house for three months while David determined how to bring it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:10-12). This passage explains how he was blessed.
“Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth; God had indeed blessed him” (1 Chronicles 26:4-5).
This passage does not speak of Obed-edom being blessed with riches, long life, or success in his endeavors. It is possible he might have received these things, but this passage does not mention any of them. Instead, his eight sons were given as proof that “God had indeed blessed him.”
Many people in our society today view children as a burden rather than a blessing. They prefer the riches and success of the world and do not want kids (or too many kids) hindering their pursuits. It is easy for this mentality to influence Christians. But we must guard against a worldly mindset on this, just as we must on everything else (Romans 12:2).
Some will say that times are different now. In some ways they are. But one thing that has not changed and will not change is the fact that children are a blessing. We need to see them for what they are: a gift from God.
“Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).
Daily Notes & Observations contains 365 articles like the one above – one article per day that will take you through the Bible in a year. Be prepared to start your study on January 1st – order your copy today!
