Children Are God's Precious Gifts
CHILDREN ARE GOD’S PRECIOUS GIFTS
Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV) 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Since the beginning of the church’s lockdown on March 22 until today, two of our young couples welcomed their firstborn children. The first baby is Nicolai Bondoc, who was born last April 8 to sister Joyce and brother Nico Bondoc. And the second baby is Ellie Claire Payumo, who was born last May 16 to sister Danica and brother PJ Payumo. So, as we welcome these babies to our church family, allow me to congratulate also their parents, Joyce, Nico, Danica, and PJ. And of course, we would like also to congratulate the grandparents - Lani and Ed Bondoc, and Tess and Ramon Payumo, who are all members of our church family.
I’m sure for many of us who are parents and grandparents, we can certainly rejoice with the Bondocs and the Payumos, because we know the special feeling that newborn babies bring into families. Of course, during conception, would-be-parents are often anxious. I remember when Tess was still pregnant with our firstborn son, Johann, I also had some anxieties for two reasons: First, I had some doubts whether or not I would be able to adequately provide for my family. As a young pastor in a small church in Marikina, Philippines, I was really worried about it. Secondly, I was not also sure if I could be a good father to my children. Tess and I were both 24 years old when Johann was about to be born. So, I was fearful about my parenting skills. I was not sure if I knew enough to be a good father to our children. Today, after 34 years, now, I know that what I felt then was normal. In a way, a statement made by Jason Adams, a popular television and radio commentator, captured this anxiety beautifully when he said:
“Once I worried about what I would have to give up in having children; now I know there is nothing that I would not give up for my children.”
You know, this feeling that we are highly blessed when we have children should be reinforced nowadays. I’m thinking that because families are spending so much time together, it would be great to remind all the parents that while raising children demands a lot of responsibilities, they are also great blessings from the Lord to us. And we all should do our best to enjoy them while they are still with us.
For our sermon this morning, I have chosen Psalm 127:3-5 as our main text. Many Bible scholars suggest that King Solomon wrote this Psalm because of the practical insights found in it. It is also considered a Song of Accents, meaning, this is one of the Psalms regularly sang by God’s people as they go up to Jerusalem to worship in the temple. Most of the time, they would travel as families to worship in Jerusalem. So, in singing this Psalm along the road, they were constantly reminded that God deserves their highest praises because He blessed them with precious children. I hope and pray that I could also remind all of us about this truth this morning as I highlight three specific descriptions of how they are precious gifts from God:
I THEY ARE THE SOURCE OF PROSPERITY (v.3)
In verse 3, we read: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This verse is clearly the key verse in our study where children are specifically referred to as God’s precious gifts. If we emphasize the word “heritage,” this word simply means an “inheritance,” which comes directly from the Lord.
Of course, today, whenever we think of the inheritance that people receive, we basically think of money and property (houses, land, valuable jewelries, etc.). However, in the Bible, we are plainly taught that children should be considered as God’s inheritance to us. In other words, they are God’s amazing riches given to us. Fundamentally, this is the main the reason why, when God made a covenant with Abraham, a great offspring was a critical part of His
Promise: You can read this promise in Genesis 15:5 (ESV): 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Do you have the same perspective on children? Well, with this point of view, parents would always feel that they are wealthy even if they don’t have a lot of money and property.
On the other hand, I also would like to correct the wrong notion that if you don’t have children, God is cursing you. There is no place in the Bible that supports this idea. This pressure in the Bible for women (Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, etc.) to have children was more cultural than a direct teaching from the Lord. Since children brought additional help in farming the family land, their absence was considered a great disadvantage to the family. However, infertility should never be a sign of God’s punishment or couples without children are less important to God. In fact, just like the argument of the apostle Paul for single people in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, parents who are without children can see it as an advantage, because they can devote more time in serving God.
1 Corinthians 7:32-33 (ESV) 32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife.
Going back to the idea that children are the source of riches to the family, I also would like to connect this beautiful passage with Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
With this passage, we can picture God actively shaping every child that He will give to every couple and family. He is like a gemcutter who is cutting, shaping, and polishing precious gems, so that eventually they become priceless in His sight. I hope and pray that we see every child of ours as rare precious jewel given to us by God.
II THEY ARE THE SOURCE OF PROTECTION (v.4)
The second basis of children being God’s precious gifts comes from the words in verse 4 – “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” In here, children are compared to “arrows,” which was a common weapon for battles or wars during the Bible times. So, God has designed the children to be like warriors providing protection or safety for their parents, especially in old age, when they can no longer effectively defend themselves. This truth also goes to show that the more children you have, the better, because you would have more defenders.
Having established this truth, it is really important for all the parents to recognize that no one becomes a warrior without going through adequate training. This standard means that every home should be a training ground for good warriors. This training is clearly reinforced by King Solomon in Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Notice, this verse explicitly states that parents should train their children in “the way he should go,” not in the way where they would want to go. I know that this is where the training really becomes critical – “Whose way is the right way?” Should parents always consider their “way” as the right and best way? Definitely not! In fact, we should always raise the warning to all of us whenever we are choosing our own ways. Here’s the warning for us:
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
You see, since the sinful nature is present in us, our bent is often to move away from God. Thus, left on our own “ways” will result in our own destruction. This problem is the reason why God decided to lead us to the right “way” through His Word.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Obviously, living in this dark and dangerous world filled with the snares of the Devil, God has provided us with sufficient light for our paths. This light will come to us through His Word. In today’s context, we can say that the Bible functions like our navigational system for a day-to-day journey.
If you use the Bible as a manual for a warrior to help in winning our battles in life, Joshua, the commander-in-chief who led Israel in conquering the Promised Land, was plainly commanded:
Joshua 1:8 (ESV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Clearly, God has impressed to Joshua that he needed to consistently read and apply the Bible, so that He will be victorious in leading Israel in their conquest.
Parents, do you want your children to be sure winners in life? Don’t forget that your best training route is to help them live out the principles found in the Word of God. If you help them fall in love with God and His Word, I firmly believe that God will never fail in fulfilling His promise of leading your children into a life of victory and success.
III THEY ARE THE SOURCE OF PRIDE (v.5)
The last description of children being God’s precious gifts is found in verse 5 - “Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
Once you read this verse, you might be wondering about the word “quiver.” Well, this word simply refers to the “case used in carrying the arrows.” Since children are such blessings to the parents, then, God’s people should consider it a great privilege when they have lots of them. I believe this statement would explain why a typical Jewish family, especially those who belong to the orthodox Jews would usually have more children compared to others. In an article I read, the average Jewish family in Israel would have 3-4 children, while the Orthodox Jews would have an average of 5-9 children. Of course, in the U.S., the average number of children per family is only 2-3 children. Evidently, the Psalmist is establishing the truth that the more children you have, the better it is for you.
Moving to the second part of verse 5, the main emphasis is on the honor that godly children bring to their parents when they represent their families before the town elders or leaders. The key phrase is – “He shall not be put to shame.” It should be noted that during Bible times, if you have any complaint against anyone or if you have to transact any legal matters, you have to do it at the city gates where all of the city elders or local officials were found. So, the fact is that once parents go to the gate to transact legal matters, part of the reputation they bring with them is how responsible and honorable their kids are in the village. The questions are: Will the children be able to represent the family well? Or will the children be able to stand tall for their family?
This reality will always be the biggest challenge for every parent. And this reputation is the reason why we want to continually do our best to train our children in the love of the Lord; it is because, we acknowledge that we desperately need God’s help to lead our children into a great future. If you examine our text, this is exactly how it started:
Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV) 1Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
These two verses are really plain and easy to understand. Here’s how I will put it – Parents, what do you want for your children in the future?
You want them to have the right character – honest, responsible, always committed to doing what is right.
You want them to have the right set of friends – the ones who will be positive influences on them.
You want them to do well in school and go to the right college.
You want them to get a good job and be stable financially.
You want them to find the right life-partner and have a great family.
Please know that God wants to work with you in accomplishing all of these aims in the lives of your children. I recognize that it is natural for parents to be anxious about the future of their children. But you don’t have to do everything on your own; you can take God’s offer of help and continue to rest in Him. If you are really interested in inviting Him to help you, please know that it should start in receiving Jesus Christ as your own Savior. The Bible is quite clear that Jesus came to our world, so that we can have this personal relationship with God. The moment we repent of our sins and invite Him into our lives, then, it is when His dynamic power begins to really operate in us and through us.
As I close, I also would like to talk to all of us as children. I hope and pray that we will always be grateful for all the love our parents gave us, for all their hard work, and selfless sacrifices they made in order to bring us where we are today. And if we are truly appreciative of them, I challenge all of us to continually live our lives in a way that our parents would be proud of.
-Dr. Glenn Plastina