When your life is done, and you look back those last few weeks or months that you have before cancer, or heart or respiratory problems overtake you - will you regret these days of your marriage and family? Will you be saddened when you remember these days? Will you be saddened when you see what your children are doing? Or will these have been the greatest years of your life? I think the choice is yours. Where are you headed in your marriage and as a family today? You will never get to anywhere you are not headed right now!
Look with me at Ps. 127-128 where we find the inspired sketch of the beautiful stages of God's work at growing a wonderful marriage and family. As we look, ask yourself: Is this what I want? Is this what I have? Is this worth changing areas of my personal life to accommodate God's Word and my response?
Psalm 127:1-2 A NO REGRET FAMILY IS CAREFUL to lay a Godly foundation: "Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep."
Psalm 127:3-5 A NO REGRET FAMILY IS CAREFUL Trust God for blessed fruitfulness: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate."
Psalm 128:1-4 A NO REGRET FAMILY Enjoys a happy family life: "Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord."
Psalm 128:5-6 A NO REGRET FAMILY Enjoys the fulfillment of a godly family that is satisfying IN old age: "The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!" And as the Apostle John said at the end of his life in 3 John 4 that the supreme earthly joy we can ever experience is when we see our family following the Lord! "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Quite a promise - what an opportunity to have such a rare and precious home. And that is exactly what the Lord offers to us today.
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FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:1-11
TRUE GOSPEL OF SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST
GRACE ALONE!
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