November 20, 2023
Melissa Valerio
Every year on November 20, we celebrate World Children’s Day. A day “meant to celebrate worldwide fraternity and understanding between children as well as to promote the ideals and objectives of the UN Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.” How fitting, at least for those living in the USA, that we would celebrate one of God’s most precious gifts during a time of thankfulness and gratefulness.
As parents, grandparents, and spiritual parents, we have a remarkable task in raising children. Psalm 127:3 identifies children as a heritage from the Lord. Proverbs 17:6 says grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers. In Jeremiah 1:5, God declares that He chose us before He formed us and set us apart before we were born. With so much value placed on children, our rightful response to these precious gifts from God should be thanksgiving and praise. Hannah displayed an extraordinary act of thanksgiving when God blessed her with a child after years of barrenness. 1 Samuel 1 describes her journey to motherhood and her vow to dedicate the child to God, if only He would give her a son. He did so, and she kept good on her promise. “‘Please, my lord,’ she said, ‘as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.’ Then he worshiped the Lord there.” (1 Samuel 1:26-28 CSB) What a beautiful picture of Hannah bringing her child to the Lord for His instruction and His use. We see God’s heart on this issue in Luke 18 when the parents were bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples tried to shoo them away thinking the children were bothering Jesus, but Jesus stopped the disciples and said “‘Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’” (Luke 18:16) Jesus LOVES the children. Let us thank Him for these cherished gifts.
Prayer: God in Heaven, from the mouths of infants and nursing babies, You have established a stronghold against the enemy. Thank You for placing so much value on children. You have given us an incredible task in raising YOUR children. Lead us as parents, humble us as children, empower us as leaders. We offer the work of our hands to You. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Action: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 say “These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Let’s use Hannah’s example and give thanks to the Lord by bringing our children to the Lord. Each day this week, teach one biblical principal to your child. Some examples: Jesus is our protector; following God’s path is always the best path; Jesus knows everything; God gives us courage; Jesus is our guide in life; God can help us be patient; God forgives sin through Jesus’ death on the cross. Find some other truths you can teach to your children.