PSALM 127 & 128 - THE GIFT OF PARENTHOOD

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalms 127 & 128, Proverbs 22:6

High on God's list of blessings are a HAPPY HOME - HONOURABLE PARENTS AND HAPPY CHILDREN. These Psalms were written by Solomon,  a king with great wisdom. Throughout Proverbs he gives us many sayings about the GIFT OF PARENTHOOD. In these Psalms 127 &128 , he continues with those words of wisdom, as we seek the Lord in "BUILDING OUR HOMES".

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older they will never leave it." 

                                                                                   Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

This Verse reminds us of the  " calling and responsibility" God has given us, AS  PARENTS. It is our responsibility to build the "foundation of faith" in our children. God doesn't expect us to do this "on our own" - He loves us and our children, "more than we ever could".

"It is never too late to start investing in the FAIITH OF YOUR CHILDREN. It is also never too early TO GET STARTED." Todd Dobberstein (You Version) 

"If you allow GOD to be the HEAD OF YOUR HOME, he will bless your family life." 

                                                                                                   Max Lucado

The problem we have often have in our marriages and as parents, is that we try to make our OWN PLANS. We forget that "GOD IS IN CHARGE." We believe that if we tried hard enough "our plans will be established". In this Psalm we are reminded that if we are to become a happy family, "GOD NEEDS TO MAKE OUR PLANS". APART FROM HIM, WE CAN DO NOTHING!  

                      BUILDING OUR HOUSE AND FAMILY -                                          Read Psalm 127:1-2,  119:9-12   

1. THE LORD HIMSELF IS TO BE THE CENTRE OF OUR HOME

"Unless the LORD BUILDS THIS HOUSE, they labour in vain who build it." Psalm 127:1a (NASB)

Did you know that God is an ARCHITECT AND A BUILDER? He plans and builds our house and expects us to work with Him. "God's involvement is absolutely essential", for we as parents need to have a relationship with God and to share this with our children. 

a) PRAY WITH AND FOR OUR CHILDREN, EVERYDAY!

To build a foundation of faith for our children, CONSISTENT PRAYER IS ESSENTIAL. The best way to show love and care for your family is to PRAY FOR THEM. 

"There is nothing our kids need more than the presence of Christ in their lives. Therefore, the most important thing we can do as parents is to bathe our children in PRAYER. When you feel like you are running on empty, that's one of the best times to COME TO GOD IN PRAYER." 

                                                                               Casey Case (You Version)

"Our oldest son will celebrate his 20th birthday soon. I asked him recently what it meant to him to know that we had prayed for him over the years. He said it helped him see the importance of HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. It showed him HOW MUCH WE CARED FOR HIS NEEDS, both physical and spiritual. Our prayers PROTECTED HIM from some of things he wasn't spiritually mature  to handle alone. " Rob & Joanna Teigan. 

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that they may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

b) READ GOD'S WORD WITH THEM

What I remember most about my father, in my early years, was how he read to us each night from the Bible and our "Children's Deotional Book". He brought me up to LOVE GOD'S WORD, and I endeavoured to share this love with my husband and son too. One of the most important things I have wanted to do for my son, his wife and our three grandaughters is to leave them a LEGACY - MY LOVE FOR THE WORD OF GOD and MY PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER.

"The best way to make sure our children recognize God's voice is to teach them His Word. If you want to see them transformed by the power of God's Word, then they need to see it working in you - truly affecting the course of your life and your daily decisions........ At the same time, help your kids experience the Bible for themselves by learning to read and studying it, and listening to the Holy Spirit's leading, ON THEIR OWN. " Michael Martin (You Version)

"How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word." Psalm 119:9 (NLT)

c) DON'T PARENT ALONE

You need people in your life to help point your children in the right direction. Attend Church as a family. Serve in the Church as a family. Join a Small Group filled with people you can lean on through the difficult seasons of parenthood. It is important for you and your children to build FAITH BASED RELATIONSHIPS. 

2. THE LORD HIMSELF IS TO BE THE CENTRE OF OUR LIFE AND WORK. 

"It is no use if you GET UP EARLY and STAY UP LATE, working for a living. THE LORD GIVES SLEEP TO THOSE HE LOVES." Psalm 127:2

Please remember that the Lord is first in our lives. He will reward us even in our sleep. Godly lives need to include "REST AND RELAXATION". "Long hours and painful labour "in our life can never replace "our allegiance to God". Making money is not as important as the "PRESENCE OF GOD" in our lives.

"There remains therefore, A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. For he who has entered HIS REST, HE HIMSELF AS ALSO CEASED FROM HIS WORK, as God did from His.”

                                                                                            Hebrews 4:9&10 (NKJV)

“KEEP YOUR LIVES FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY, and BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE God had said: “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 (CEV)

"Believing in the Lord and marrying a believer is important if you want to establish your home with full STRENGTH AND STABILITY. Obedience to His commands and the principles iun Scripture, must become the DEFINING VALUES if we hope to build a STRONG FAMILY AND WORKLIFE."  Charles Swindoll

CHILDREN ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR HOME -  Read Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 4, 6:20&21, 23:22-26

King Solomon's wisdom continues with his "celebration of the strong home", with the focus on "our children." 

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." Psalm 127:3&4 (NASB)

Notice these three "titles" Solomon tells us about our children:

1. THEY ARE A GIFT. 

Children belong to the Lord and He graciously "shares them with His parents." Wise parents will acknowledge that their child is a "personal gift from God".

"The father of a good child is very happy; parents of wise children are glad because of them. Make your father and mother happy; give you The father of a good child is very happy; parents of wise children are glad because of them. Make your father and mother happy; give your r mother a reason to be glad."  Proverbs 23:4&5

PARENTING IS TOUGH - there is no doubt about that. But in those tough moments, God is always with us. Remember that the gift of parenting is a "noble and and worthy calling," a priviledge God has given us. "Embrace this fact that God has given you this honour."

2. THEY ARE A REWARD

A reward is something that is something God blesses us with. We receive a child in appreciation for our love for God and the "fruit of the womb" is a "token of God's love", for us as parents. 

"Ask Him to RENEW YOUR JOY and THANK HIM for your children. If we learn to lean on God in the tough days of parenting, we can't help but be THANKFUL FOR OUR KIDS." 

                                                                        Casey Case (You Version)

"Always be joyful! Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

3. THEY ARE ARROWS

"Children who are born to you are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. Happy is a man who has a bag full of arrows. They will not be defeated when they fight their enemies at the city gate."                                                                                                                     Psalm 126:4&5 (NLT)

"A warrior doesn't stop to make his arrows. He uses them by directing them to a target. A parent is responsible too for the DIRECTION OF THEIR CHILDREN. A child, like an arrow, is incapable of directing themselves, particurly at a young age. It is the basic responsibility for the parentd to direct their children." Charles Swindoll

What happens when a child isn't given direction? They don't reach the TARGET OF GODLY LIVING, following the ways of Jesus Christ. Parents often feel bad when they discipline their children. It's definetely not fun to do, but children need "parenting authority". The more you LOVE YOUR CHILD the more they will ACCEPT THE DISCIPLINE. And, when you APPLY THE DISCIPLINE it needs TO BE IN LOVE. Too much love without discipline, can make your child 'SPOILT", but too much DISCIPLINE WITHOUT LOVE may "DAMAGE THEM EMOTIONALLY AND DRIVE THEM AWAY."

"Folly is bound in the heart His child, but th ROD OF DISCIPLINE will drive it far away." 

                                                                                                             Proverbs 22:15 (NLT)

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, as the father the son he delights in." Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)

"It was June 2010 and my wife and eye were about to have our first baby. We were about to have dinner with my dad, and I decided to ask him for some parenting advice, some wisdom he had gained after many decades of parenting.  He thought for a minute and then me an analogue I will never forget: "Parenting is like a scale - on one side YOU HAVE LOVE and on the other DISCIPLINE. Applying either one two often, without the other, is harmful for your child."                                                                                                                  Brad Belyeu (You Version)

I found it really hard to discipline my child, until I read this verse and realized that DISCIPLINE is what makes you a LOVING AND CARING PARENT. 

"Those who spare the rod of discipline, hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them." Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)

"My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching."

                                                                                      Proverbs 6:29 (NIV)

"My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgement."

                                                                                                              Proverbs 4:1 (NLT)

                            LEADERSHIP IN THE HOME -                                                   Psalm 128:1-3; Proverbs 18:22, 22:6

Solomon continues into this Psalm, with more WORDS OF WISDOM. Again, similar to what we read in his Proverbs. Having considered how important children are in our lives, we now see how important the PARENT'S LEADERSHIP ROLE is. We notice how important it is to our JOY AND HAPPINESS. 

"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat from the fruit of your hands; YOU WILL BE HAPPY and it will be WELL WITH YOU." Psalm 128:1&2 (NASB)

"Parents who train their children accoordin to BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES have the hope of ULTIMATE HAPPINESS." Charles Swindoll

Parents enjoy all they do with their children, particularly when they share Scripture with them in the home. Around the table we see the wife "as a fruitful vine", and the children are not branches but "independent unique olive plants". The vine and the olive are symbols of "peace and plenty" - the fullness of God's blessings. 

"The wife will be the FRUITFUL VINE within your house; your children will be like "olive shoots" around the table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord." Psalm 128:3-4

"When a man finds a wife, he finds something good. It shows that the Lord is pleased with him."

                                                                                               Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)

As parents we need to see our children as these "fruit" and bring them up in the ways of the Lord. We need to encourage them in their own personal talents and gifts, not forcing them to be images of their parents. Sometimes fathers want to force their "sporting abilities" on their sons or mothers like to urge an "artistic talent" in their daiughters. But these may not necessarily be "their interests".

Apart from a childs talent or ability we also need to "train our children" in the ways of the Lord. Find ways to encourage their DREAMS, but also direct them towards a FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. Help them to read and study the Scriptures, so they can live out "these primciples" in their lives. 

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."                                                                                                                   Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

                      INVEST IN YOUR CHILD'S FUTURE -                                              Read Psalm 128; Proverbs 17:6, 24.

"By WISDOM a house is built and through UNDERSTANDING it is established. Through KNOWLEDGE it rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Psalm 24:3&4 (NIV)

Solomon helps us see the fruit of our labour in the home, including the joy we can have in the future with our grandchildren. We have:

1. PERSONAL PLEASURE

If you are determined to have Christ at the centre of your home and "parenthood grind", you will have God's Word as the "authority in rearing your children". You will have your "work cut out for you", and at times you may have negative, rather than positive consequences if you "relinquish" your parenting responsibilities.

"Behold, for this man shall be blessed who fears the Lord." Psalm 128:4 (NASB)

2. CIVIC BENEFITS

"May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as lonmg as you live."  Psalm 128:5 (NLT)

Zion will be blessed and Jerusalem will be strong and prosperous. If you contribute to the home life of your chidren, you will receive benefits from your city and country governments. 

3. OUR GRANDCHILDREN

"Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children."                                                                                                             Proverbs 17:6 (NLT)

"May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace." (NLT)

Because the Lord is the centre of your home you are able to look forward to blessings in your old age, not only with your children, but with your grandchildren. The most encouraging words from this verse is that we are helping out nation be PEACEFUL, not just today but in the future. 

CONCLUSION - Read Psalm  127&128

A family may find themselves in difficult situations. The pressure may be mounting, particularly in the children's teenage years. Charles Swindoll tells us that the most difficult times he has had when councilling as a Pastor, have been with teenagers and their parents. The parents were either "too liberal or permissive" or in some cases, "too rigid". They needed to follow the Lord's guiding and model the ways of true parenthood.

"Is God the head of your house? Do you pray with and for your family daily? Do you read the Scriptures with them every night? God says, we will be blessed and happy if we seek God's wisdom during these teenage years. If the Lord is central in your home - His grip on your family will begin."

                                                                                        Charles Swindoll/Max Lucado

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Belyeu, Brad (Engineer), Case, Casey (Support Leader),  Doberstein, Todd (Project Manager),  "7 Things the Bible Says about Parenting." 2013, New Version

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Swindoll, Charles, "Strengthening your Grip", 1982, Word Publishers

Swindoll, Charles, "Living the Psalms - Encouragement for the Daily Grind", 2012, Worthy Publishers

Teigan, Rob & Joanna, "Powerful Prayers for Your Son," 2013, New Version