What You Believe Matters in Raising Your Children

In Psalm 121 we see how God neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is always on guard protecting and providing for His children (Psalm 37:25). We see in Mark 4:35-41 an incident with the disciples in a boat where Jesus was sleeping during a furious storm. Jesus’ rest illustrates His perfect peace in God. The disciples’ relationship with God was in its infancy at this stage in their lives. Their faith had not gone through many trials yet to prove their faith. But they too would have that peace in future storms. We know the disciples’ faith grew as illustrated in Luke’s account of one disciple, Peter, sleeping soundly in prison with execution awaiting him the following day (Acts 12:6). Natural man’s stress level the day before execution would more than likely be quite significant with very disturbed, if any, sleep. However, Peter’s rest did not come naturally but supernaturally by the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit through wholehearted trust in Jesus Christ as God.

God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God means that He is in control of all things at all times and in all places. As Christians mature in their faith and trust in God, their ability to withstand various trials grows. That is why parents can sleep through a storm while their children choose to fearfully cling to them at night. There is a trust in God greater in mature Christian parents by virtue of their walking by faith over many years. They have seen God’s gracious hand save, provide, and guide them through each and every day. So, parents mature in the faith are better able to enjoy a Sabbath rest as they have an assurance of God’s love and care for them. Observing their parents response to trials, storms, and other potentially devastating events is one of the key building blocks of children’s faith. And modeling godly responses to such events will build into their children the same trust and faith over time. As parents, we need to stand firm on the promises of God and weather the storms of life in confident trust in our Lord and Savior.

• “9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” 1 John 4:9, 16

God is worthy of following and so taking a day to praise and worship Him is not only prudent but necessary. Necessary not for salvation but because of our salvation. God made the Sabbath for man (Mark 2:27). It is an expression of thanksgiving to the One from whom everything flows – including our very lives. It shows to children that this world is not all there is. There is a God. He is the Creator of all. He is trustworthy. And this one true God in His divine providence also sustains all that exists. Therefore, parents that consistently trust in and make time for God regularly, not just part of a day but an entire day, set a great example for kids to see how their parents lean on and trust God. The five- or six-day work week activity is necessary and good, but one day should be set aside for God.