Stepping Up: Week 4 - Day 1

Day 1 - A Heritage from the Lord

Psalm 127
1 A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
4 Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands.
5 How happy 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.

It is easy to see from these verses that children are a gift from God.  It says it right there in verse 3!  That is a whole lesson in itself!  However, not for today...  In verse 4 the image of the arrow in a warriors hands can be thought of as the strength, protection and provision that your grown children will provide for you.  And in verse 5 we see the ultimate image of a family, a family that works together as a unit, as a team.

Okay, so what about those that do not have children?  There are so many who do not have children, so how does this apply?  Matthew 12:46-50 brings a much bigger picture to this image of family...

Matthew 12:46-50 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers were outside, wanting to talk with him. Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you." Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"


Our famly then is not only those we are related to, but every Christian is a member of our family.  How are you treating your family?  What can you do to be a better family member?  Can you provide the strength, protection, or provision that someone needs who may not have children, or whose children are not near enough to be there?  Just a thought...