Raising Godly Children

Scripture Reading: II Chronicles 22:1-9 (NKJV)

II Chronicles 22:2-3

Ahaziah was forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year… He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly.

It’s an Old Testament story of one of those minor kings whose names I can never remember. In this instance, one line jumped out at me. His mother advised him to do wickedly. Hmmm. The story of King Ahaziah is one of treason, murder, and genocide. To think he listened to his mother!

Sometimes we think our kids don’t listen to a word we say. Especially that teenager who hasn't come out of his room in two years. But how often have we heard them repeat something we wish we hadn’t said? Often we don’t realize what great influencers we are of our children. They walk like we do, talk like we do. They even root for the same team at a ball game.

We all want our children to be happy and healthy; to grow into honorable young men and women. We would never advise them to do wickedly. But what about our actions? Do they observe us practicing patience and humility? Or do they see us yelling at the driver in the next car, complaining about last Sunday’s sermon, dishonoring our own parents?

Ahaziah’s mother’s fate was death by the sword. Our consequences can be just as deadly if we fail to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. As mothers, we have been given the most frustrating, aggravating, lowest paid job ever created. But it is also the most fulfilling. We are the greatest influencers our children will ever have. Let us take that responsibility seriously.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Keep me mindful of my influence over my child. Let my advice be directed by Your word. Amen
Additional Reading: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6