I had other things I planned to write about, but this passage moves me this morning, and I just have to share it. It is Isaiah 29: 22-24, quoted from The Message:
And finally, this, GOD's message for the family of Jacob,
the same God who redeemed Abraham:
"No longer will Jacob hang his head in shame,
no longer grow gaunt and pale with waiting.
For he's going to see his children, My personal gift to him-- lots of children.
And these children will honor me by living holy lives.
In holy worship they'll honor The Holy One of Jacob. and stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who get off-track will get back on-track, and complainers and whiners learn gratitude."
Wow God! So much to unpack here.
"No longer will Jacob hang his head in shame, no longer grow gaunt and pale with waiting. For he's going to see his children, my personal gift to him- lots of children."
You know, I have friends who have lost babies, both as miscarriages and weeks after birth. And it is heart-wrenching. I weep for them. And I KNOW their souls are crying out to God for more children. That God sees their tears as they cry in bed at night. And I am praying that for them too, that God would bless them with more children-- a quiver full, as Psalm 127:3-5 in the NIV puts it.
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD. Children are a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."
But sometimes, children are a symbol of God's grace and mercy. I have a favorite passage about David and Bathsheba. Their first child together, conceived in adultery, died- in spite of much fasting, praying and repentance. But then God did an incredibly beautiful thing as a GIFT for this couple. 2 Samuel 12:24-25 tells us:
"David went and comforted his wife Bathsheba. And when he slept with her, they conceived a son. When he was born they named him Solomon. God had a special love for him, and sent word by Nathan the prophet that God wanted him named Jedidiah (God's Beloved.)"
Wow oh Wow! And this baby boy (this consolation prize?) grew up to become King Solomon... What an incredible loving and merciful and VERY GOOD God we serve! Back in the Isaiah 29 passage, it says:
"and these children will honor me by living holy lives. In holy worship they'll honor The Holy One of Jacob AND STAND IN HOLY AWE OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL."
That's EXACTLY what I want for my children. To honor God by living holy lives, and to stand in absolute AWE of Him. Of his GREATNESS. OF his GOODNESS. And then it says:
"Those who got off-track will get back on-track,
and complainers and whiners will learn gratitude."
Anyone here know any kids (or adult kids?) that have gotten off-track? (Or have whiny teenagers?) What a precious promise!
When I was growing up, having kids and being a Dad was never on my To-Do-Someday list. Even as a young man, AS A YOUNG MAN ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED, having kids just wasn't important to me. But now that I HAVE them... oh the joy. I LOVE being their Dad, and am so richly blessed. And God blessed me by letting me marry into a big family. My wife has five siblings and her parents have 20 grandkids (so far), and a great grandchild on the way. My mother in law isn't happy unless there are 37 people in the house on Thanksgiving, and we had 41 last year. That's a quiver full. A whole lot of quivers, and we are most richly blessed. The attached picture shows our family picture on vacation 10 years ago. We have grown a bit since then...
Wow, God. You Rock!
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