Fleeing Sin: the value of living with integrity
Joseph fled from sin. He turned an he ran. Oh that our sons and daughters would do the same!
Today’s scripture is a longer portion because we need to understand the context of Joseph’s situation in order to grasp the integrity, the love and fear of God that Joseph held, and to see the sovereignty of God in his life.
Genesis 39: 6-23 “So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, she called her household servants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed. When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me. But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. “
Joseph was a slave in Egypt, sold by his brothers, but ultimately he was there because God intended for him to save, not only his family, but the nation of Israel. God placed him in Egypt and guided him into opportunities that would eventually position him to have power, authority and ability to rescue the nation of Israel.
Joseph had three specific areas in which he gave God the Supremacy in his life.
1. Place/Location: Joseph was a slave IN Egypt, but not a slave TO Egypt. He obeyed the authority God put over him, but he still submitted himself, ultimately, to God. He didn’t use his location as an excuse for sin. He still operated with deep integrity. His actions and responses were based on what God expected and allowed, not what the culture expected and allowed. He didn’t allow his location to be an excuse for sin. We need to pray that our sons and daughters don’t allow their location to impact their integrity and walk with the Lord.
1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
When our sons and daughters are in hard places, let’s not just rush to pray for ‘rescue’ asking God to move them, but let’s be steady to uphold them in prayer for strength to stay the course and remain where God places them in order to accomplish what He has for them to do. Pray that they have perspective and can see God’s hand in their place and His purpose in their being there.
2. Possessions: Joseph didn’t value things over the right thing. He wasn’t willing to compromise or wait around to ‘save’ something of temporal value and risk his character, integrity, and testimony. When Potiphar’s wife grabbed his cloak, he didn’t think twice. He turned and ran. He ran!! He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t back away. He didn’t wrestle to keep his cloak. He turned and ran. The cloak was a symbol of identity and protection in Biblical times. Joseph was willing to let go of his ‘identity’ for the sake of his godly testimony and he gave up his physical ‘protection’ in exchange for Godly protection of his character and testimony.
We need to pray that when our sons and daughters are confronted with temptation that they turn and run with all their might, their will, their mind and intention. That split-second moment they make the rock-solid decision that NOTHING (no thing) is more valuable than obedience to God.
3. Position of heart vs. Position of title: Others in Egypt recognized Joseph’s integrity. Both Potiphar and the jailer gave Joseph much responsibility. They trusted him because he was trustworthy. And because he lived with integrity, it opened the doors to opportunity, position, and power. But Joseph wasn’t willing to compromise to maintain those positions. He trusted that God had a better plan and God rewarded that obedience and trust.
I Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
When Joseph chose to do the right thing, he lost his position in Potiphar’s house. He could have grieved that, but instead, he trusted that God protected him from something dangerous and believed that God had purpose in his ‘demotion’. Indeed, He did! God needed Joseph in prison so that Pharaoh could see his ability and integrity. Think about that!
Joseph valued his heart being right with God vs. a title and position achieved through earthly values and choices. Had Joseph compromised and given into lust and sin, he may have kept his position in Potiphar’s house, but he would have forfeited the greater role of being second in command of all of Egypt and part of God’s greater plan for Israel. Greater still, he would have damaged the testimony of the Living God to those around him. His story may have ended as a cautionary tale rather than a record of God’s triumph.
Sometimes God removes the titles and achievements to make way for more impactful opportunities. Sometimes He takes us to harder places but it’s never without intention, never by mistake, and always part of His greater plan. As we pray for our sons and daughters, let’s be careful not to quickly grieve when things take a turn toward what we might see as a loss or demotion, a setting back or giving up of something valuable. Instead, let’s pray for Godly insight and protection from short-sightedness. Let’s pray that God shows our sons and daughters that He’s working, protecting, and leading them to accomplish what He intends.
Temptation is real. It is frequent, and it is everywhere. We can easily succumb to the lures and we can quickly make excuses, because it surrounds us and can easily consume us. We are immersed in a culture of sin, compromise, and self-satisfaction. Achievement is celebrated. But God calls us to live lives in this world that reflect we are citizens of another place with a standard of living that reflects our submission and commitment to an eternal King in whose Kingdom we are not only citizens, but daughters and sons of the Most High. We love Him. And if we do, our lives, our choices, and what we hold dear will determine how we respond and will give a testimony to the world around us. “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Joseph didn’t compromise. He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t bemoan his ‘misfortune’. He trusted God. He knew God had a better plan and, though it may not have been obvious at the time. Joseph responded to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 - the same brothers that sold him into slavery and essentially brought Joseph to a life of bondage…but servitude to God, in Egypt. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Joseph rested in the knowledge that God loved him and would guide his steps. He needed only obey and act with integrity. Sin wouldn’t prosper him, but following God with his whole heart, mind and strength, well, that would provide protection all his days.
“Heavenly Father, Protector, Provider and Guide, I pray for (name) today. Keep them from sin. Lord, when they encounter temptation, give them strength of conviction and presence of mind to flee, to leave behind anything this culture may deem ‘valuable’ in exchange for what is of eternal value. Father, I pray (name) would hear your voice, not the voices of those around them calling them to compromise. I pray that (name) would have confidence and conviction that their position in Christ is of greater value than any title or position this world can offer. Lord, help them to hold things here loosely so that they hold onto the cross and to Jesus with all their strength. Lord, I pray that (name) would “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes, …for the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly. Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever….The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. ” Psalm 37:7, 17-18, 23-24 Lord, use this scripture in (name)’s life this week and throughout their life. Keep them from sin. Strengthen them to follow You without turning. Convict them to live with integrity and to never swap their eternal inheritance for temporary things of this world. Help them to flee from sin. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
How to Pray When Our Sons and Daughters Reach a Crossroads, Part 2
This is what the Lord says:“Stand at the crossroads and look (see); ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
We began part one of “How to Pray When Our Sons and Daughters Reach a Crossroads” by looking at the words “Stand” and “Look” to really understand what God was calling the Israelites (and us) to do when faced with a decision of life, direction and conviction. They were not to wander, to sit or to linger but God said, “Stand” which in Hebrew meant to set firmly, take a stand, be still and endure (1). But they were not only to stand, they were to stand and “looK”. While they stood firm and endured, they were to see, perceive, consider and discern (2). They were to actively do the looking, they were to look for something specific and God would be (should be) the One prompting them to take the action of looking, no one or nothing else should be their motivation. But then what?
Well, as we might say, “Don’t just stand there!” God says, “ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is”. The word “ask” is the word “saal” in Hebrew and it means “ to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.” (3) To saal is to ask with purpose and even a sense of urgency. It’s not a casual inquiry, but an intentional seeking of answers and information. Can you see the importance here? God is telling us we need to stand with purpose, look and then ask with urgency for the ancient paths. It’s important. It’s vital.
So, what are the ancient paths? Are we supposed to look for antiquated ways of doing things? No, not at all. That word “ancient” is the word “olam” and it means “enduring, perpetual, time out of mind, both past and future.”(4) God is telling us to look for the eternal ways, HIS ways, which are often concealed and hard to see, especially by those who do not walk with the Lord. But if we walk with the Lord, He will reveal them to us (remember, the word “look” has a causative nature… which means something or someone prompts us to do the looking… in this case, it’s God, calling us and causing us to look for and understand His ways.
Daniel 2:20-22 ““Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him.”
God wants us to look for and pursue His ways (derek), not just any way. The word “derek” means way, but it also means “direction,habit, course of life and moral character.” (5) The ‘way’ God wants us to walk encompasses all of us (our being) and our direction. It is the way that isn’t seen with physical eyes but discerned with spiritual insight granted by God.
But here’s the thing, He doesn’t want us to just identify it by looking, He calls us to walk in it. When God calls us to walk (yalak), He calls us to “walk (literally or figuratively); to carry; bear, bring, depart, follow, grow, prosper, pursue, cause to run.”(5) Isn’t that such a picture of our Christian walk with the Lord?! We are to walk, follow, grow, prosper and pursue Him. We are to bring our burdens, bear our cross and depart the life of sin to walk in obedience to Him. All of that wrapped up in the simple, but not so simple word ‘yalak’ or walk.
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
God promises us that if we do these things we “will find rest for our souls”. Oh, friend, isn’t that what we long for? Rest for our souls. A spiritual rest, a relief from the oppression of sin, a balm for the pain and heartache of this life. Rest. “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1
But the warning stands from Proverbs 21:16 “Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.” It matters which path you choose and that choice determines where you will find your rest and in whose company you will be.
Jeremiah 6:16 doesn’t stop there, though. There is a final statement in the verse that is jarring. God told all of these things to the Israelites. But their response was, “We will not walk in it.” Think about that. God showed them. He called them. He gave them clear direction and a promise of rest. Yet they rejected it. They rejected Him. They made a willful decision to turn from God. How they were blinded!!
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
As our sons and daughters are at the crossroads, there is so much to bring to the Lord. Oh, there is promise of great things, direction, protection, growth, rest…but there is great danger as well and we can’t ignore that. The enemy wants nothing more than to blind this next generation so they cannot see and so they will not follow. He does not want them to find rest for their souls. We need to be on our knees daily asking God to intervene and protect, to open eyes and guide steps. Let’s do that now…and pray without ceasing.
“Father, You are good and what You do is good (Ps 119:68). You show us right paths and call us to walk in them. You desire good for us and Your word says “The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. (Pr. 11:23) I pray that (name) would pursue righteousness so that their desires would be good and wholesome and that their heart would long after You. Lord, help (name) to pursue Biblical knowledge that will guide their steps so they won’t be a living example of Proverbs 19:2 “Desire without knowledge is not good - how much more will hasty feet miss the way!” Lord, help them not to have hasty feet, but let them stand at the crossroads and be resolute in their conviction to follow You. Let them have clear, right spiritual discretion so they will be able to spot evil and avoid it. Let them not be deceived by the enemy or led astray by things and people who are ungodly.”
“Lord, God, I pray that You would open (name)’s eyes and show them Your path. Enable them to see the eternal way that leads to life and rest. Give them strength to walk in it. Motivate (name) to consistently ask where the good way is and pursue it with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray that (name) would walk with You unwaveringly. Father, protect (name)’s steps. Guard (name)’s heart. Keep (name)’s eyes always seeing clearly with correct spiritual discernment and never, never let them refuse to walk in the way You set before them. Lord, help them to be faithful and eager to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
H5975 - ʿāmaḏ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5975/niv/wlc/0-1/
H7200 - rā'â - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7200/niv/wlc/0-1/
H7592 - šā'al - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7592/niv/wlc/0-1/
H5956 - ʿālam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5956/niv/wlc/0-1/
H1870 - dereḵ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1870/niv/wlc/0-1/
H3212 - yālaḵ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3212/niv/wlc/0-1/
How to Pray When Our Sons and Daughters Reach a Crossroads, part 1
“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look (see); ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.”” Jeremiah 6:16
Crossroads. They’re fraught with uncertainty, difficulty and, sometimes, painful choices. Crossroads challenge us and stretch us. They demand that we evaluate our values, our goals and dreams and decide what is important and what is non-negotiable. Sometimes we don’t realize just how much hangs in the balance…and sometimes we do.
When we imagine someone at a crossroads, whether literally or figuratively, we think of someone who has reached a point of decision (or indecision), direction (or indirection) and they’re living in a ‘pause’ of sorts. We might see them as unsure, confused or even overwhelmed. A decision must be made, a direction chosen, but the individual might appear ‘stuck’, paralyzed, or even rudderless.
As parents, when we see our sons and daughters reaching a crossroads, we might get nervous or heavy-hearted, hoping and praying they make the right decision. But what God says in Jeremiah should make us reevaluate a crossroads. ‘Stand at the crossroads’ doesn’t imply uncertainty or confusion- a stopping and standing because we’re befuddled.
The crossroads is a decision point, a choice of direction and intention, yes. But when God says “stand” at the crossroads, He’s not calling us to simply stop and wait. No, that word “stand” is the Hebrew word “amad” which means “take a stand, present oneself, hold your ground, arise, endure and stand firm.” (1) There is nothing uncertain about it. It is being sure of your convictions and what you will not compromise Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”. Standing is the opposite of wavering.
Here’s the thing, when our sons and daughters reach a crossroads, is not the time to begin praying they stand strong in their convictions. That’s something for which we need to have already been praying. We should daily be asking the Lord to help them be unwavering in their pursuit of Christ so when they do reach a crossroads, there is no question about Who they will follow or what road they will choose.
But just in case we needed more encouragement, the Lord says, “Stand and LOOK”. The word look (also ‘see’) is the word ‘raa’ in Hebrew. It means to perceive, to have vision, to perceive and take heed (2). Let’s get a little “grammarly” here… the word “look” is a verb that, according to Strong’s Concordance, is transitive, intransitive and causative. But what does that even mean and why is it important?
Transitive means the word takes action on something. So when we’re told to “look”, it means to “look and see the way”. God wants us to direct our attention to the ancient ways, what God instructed the generations before to do and follow and to know and understand we should do the same.
Intransitive means there is no object, it’s directly happening. In this case, the believer is looking. You look. You see.
“Causative verbs are used when one person or thing is a stimulus that enables or causes someone or something else to carry out the main action in a sentence.” (3) The causative nature of the word “look” means that we’re being directed by God to do something. He’s calling us and enabling us to look and see- it suggests more than just vision with the eyes, but with the mind and heart.
Isn’t that profound?! One word, three uses! The action itself, the object toward which the action is directed and the cause of the action- who or what has prompted it. Isn’t it amazing that God can use one word to tell us so many things?!
So, friends, when we pray for our sons and daughters as they reach a crossroads, we first must pray that they are confident in their convictions and unwavering in their faith so that they will STAND. Then, we need to pray that they will LOOK- taking action to open their eyes, to see what is before them, that they will look for the ancient paths- the way God wants them to go that they would direct their gaze to the way that leads to life and godliness. Then, that they will look and understand and deeply perceive where God is leading and what steps He wants them to take, not just next steps, but life choices and direction of the heart and mind. Pray for the correct action, the correct object of focus and the correct understanding and discretion.
We’ll follow up on the next aspects of Jeremiah 6:16 later this week, but for now, let’s pray for our sons and daughters that they will Stand and Look in the ways that God desires.
“Father, so often we’re presented with crossroads in our lives, those moments when we’re faced with decisions and directions and it’s difficult and confusing to know what to do and which way to go. I want to pray for (name) right now. Lord, I pray that (name) would stand when they reach a crossroads. Let them be decisive in what they believe and why. Help them to be unwavering in their faith and their convictions. Help them to consider every choice in light of their relationship with You so that they would hold their ground and be firm in their commitment to Scripture and to You. Lord, I pray that (name) would do their best to present themself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). And while (name) stands at the crossroads, I pray that they would look. Open their eyes to see what it is You would have them do. Help them to look for the way they should go and help them to actively seek your face, Lord. I pray that they would see not only with physical eyes, but with spiritual insight and discretion. Lord, do not allow a crossroads to be a point at which they will diverge from Your will for their life, but they would evaluate the best way, the godly way, the right way and would walk in it. I pray that You would be blessed by their actions and their insight and that their choices would bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing, friends.
H5975 - ʿāmaḏ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5975/niv/wlc/0-1
H7200 - rā'â - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7200/niv/wlc/0-1/
Lohman, L. (n.d.). Causative Verbs | Causative Form in English: Overview & Examples. Retrieved from https://study.com/learn/lesson/causative-verbs-form-overview-examples.html
Impressions
Deuteronomy 6:5-8 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Did you ever notice your little one when they first woke up? Maybe they slept with their face against a favorite toy or on a patterned pillow and the lines of the fabric shown on their little faces. They looked funny and silly with wrinkles and lines embedded into their skin from pressing against that fabric. And when we got down on the rug to play with them our knees pressed into the carpet. We had fun, only to get up and realize the pattern of the weave impressed on our knees. Then there was the finger paint. Hands eagerly pressed into the paint and then pressed down onto the paper. The precious handprints were left behind, but the paint still clung to the skin and found its way into the cracks and crevices and under the fingernails. Despite washing up, the evidence of leaning into the paint was still present and visible. Oh, we can try and soothe the marks or scrub the paint away, but the impressions remain and they don’t fade quickly.
It’s much the same in our spiritual lives. You see, the things we lean into or rest upon leave an impression. What we choose to spend time with marks us and it starts to mold us to it, whether good or bad. Then others see the impact of our choices and where we’ve spent our time. The impressions don’t fade quickly. They remain for others to see.
Here’s a question for us as parents….What is it that we’re impressing on our children? On our grown sons and daughters? When they spend time with us, what is it that they carry away with them? Can they see that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and strength? Do they know that God’s word is so deeply impressed in our own hearts and minds that it marks us for everything else and that when anyone looks at us, they see the imprint of God on our lives? Do our sons and daughters bear the marks of fellowship with the family of God when they leave us to go to their own home?
Friends, the more we look around us, the more we see the beginnings of the end. We see wars and rumors of wars, we see people mocking God and living in lavish sin, openly and defiantly. We see believers being harassed and persecuted. We can’t be ‘fence sitters’ ; we must choose wisely and live intentionally. What we’ve chosen to rest in and lean into will leave an impression on us for the world to see. It will give evidence of which side we’ve chosen.. Is it leaving the impression of Christ or of the world? We can’t ‘do it later’. Time is running out. What example are we setting?
Oh friends, we spend a lot of time praying for our sons and daughters, as we should. But let’s not neglect praying for ourselves and for other parents. We need to stand with conviction and be an example of those who do not lean on their own understanding but trust in the Lord. We need to set the standard for our sons and daughters and in our walk, our talk and our lives, exemplify that we love the Lord our God with all of our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. We will not compromise. We will not ‘talk the talk’ yet bear the impression of the world on our faces…and our hearts. How will our sons and daughters follow? Will they choose the impression of Christ or of the world?
“Father, Today I choose You. I choose to follow You, obey Your Word and live my life in a way that gives evidence to those around me that You are my Lord and Savior. I pray today that You would help me to “Trust in the Lord with all [my] heart and do not lean on [my] own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) I pray for other parents today that You would strengthen them to stand firm. Lord, help each of us to impress Your commandments on our children. Let our conversations be pleasing to You and edifying to those who hear. Lord, let Your Word and Your Truth be what is impressed on each of our hearts and lives so that when others see us, they see the marks of Jesus. Keep us safe and unharmed by this world. Keep us from sin and from oppression by the enemy. I know that Satan would love nothing more than to destroy believers’ testimonies and disrupt families. Guard us Lord so that we can be salt and light in this world. Raise up the next generation to follow after You with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. May Jesus be glorified. In His name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
What the Heart Wants
As we watch events unfold in the news, we see people in Ukraine running for their lives. They’re not stopping to pack up their home decor or their favorite books. They’re not worried about that picture or piece of art. Their ‘good china’ holds little value. Their job isn’t going to save them and that salary or promotion really doesn’t mean anything. No, it’s life that they cherish and they run with the few clothes and food items they can carry. They don’t think twice. They run for safety and refuge, praying and dodging the enemy fire. They run because life is precious and nothing else matters. And when asked what they want, most say “I just want to go home.”
Yet, many likely will never get back to their home. They will resettle and start new lives, they will find new places to live and develop new routines, new friendships and new ways of living…yet they will always long for home. Why? Because that’s who they are. That is at the root of their identity. They can change locations, but they can’t change their heart’s longing.
What do our sons and daughters long for? Is it Jesus? Do they yearn to be where they ‘belong’, in His Presence? Do their hearts ache to spend time with him? Are their minds consumed with love for Him and His Word Do they have confidence in the Lord because their heart and mind are set on things above (Col. 3:1-2)? Or is it possible they’re charmed by the things they see, not by what is unseen.
As we see all this happening, what is it that we want most for our sons and daughters? If we strip everything else away, what do our Momma and Daddy hearts yearn for, what do we wish they would crave? We want to know they are walking faithfully with the Lord. Nothing else really matters, does it? When we stand before the Lord, the condition of our heart, what we love and what we choose to think on will be what matters to the Lord and will determine where our affections lie.
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Oh, how we want to know our kids are carrying the conviction of Christ Alone in their hearts and minds. How we want to hear them say they find their soul’s contentment in Jesus.
Is your heart heavy today? Don’t despair. God isn’t done working. Let’s pray very specifically for the hearts and minds of our sons and daughters. The scripture below gives potent promises that we can pray with boldness.
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Father, I bring (name) before You today and ask that You would work in their life, their heart and mind, today. Lord, surround them with Your divine protection. Let them guard their heart today so that nothing in this world would pollute it and cause them to wander from you. Keep their eyes fixed on You, the Author and Perfecter of their faith. Stir in them a thirst to know You more and a longing to be in Your Presence- let them truly know that this life is temporary and eternal life is with You. I pray that, like David, these words would be the prayer of their life, “‘I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.’” (Ps. 16:8-11) Lord, You are able to do more than we could ask or imagine. Please work in (name)’s heart and mind today. Capture them with your love, satisfy them with living water, show them the beauty, wonder and joy of eternal pleasures that far outweigh anything this world could offer. I pray that (name) would confess “Only Jesus” today and always. Give me Your peace today as I wait and pray. Work mightily, Lord. In Jesus’ mighty, saving name I pray, amen.”
Keep praying that God would capture their affection and would draw their heart to Him.
Pray without ceasing.
It Matters Where You Sit
Psalm 26:4-5 “I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.”
Remember the days of walking into a restaurant and hearing the hostess ask “smoking or non-smoking?” The restaurant tried to separate those who did not want to be exposed to the smoke and smell, so we had a choice of where we wanted to sit. But sometimes, the ‘non-smoking’ section was just the very next table...there was no wall or separate room, just an invisible ‘line’ determining the difference between smoking and non-smoking. The smoke still drifted over and the smell permeated the air. The food, the clothing, even the hair smelled like smoke despite the fact that no one at your table was smoking. When that happened, the waitress was called over and the whole group moved, once again, to find a spot where the air was clear and the meal wouldn’t be ruined. Where we sat mattered.
Friends, where we ‘sit’ in life matters too. Even if we’re simply ‘present’, but not participating, we’re surrounded by what goes on around us. If we sit by the side of the pool, we’re bound to be splashed. The excuse of ‘well, I’m not swimming...I’m not IN the pool’, doesn’t work. If we choose to place ourselves in the company of others who make poor moral decisions, use coarse language, and live like the world, we’re choosing to passively align ourselves with, and show approval for those things. One cannonball will leave you soaked and, swimming or not, you’re all wet. You look like you’ve been swimming. There is little that distinguishes you from others who are actually in the pool. Where you sit matters.
And we don’t need to be mindful of just the ‘world’. There are plenty of discretionary opportunities in the church and among believers, or those who claim to be. Not all who claim to be believers will live like they are. Some ‘talk’ a good game, but their words and life are a twisted mess of deception. They use their power, position and words to manipulate and control. They speak to gain a following, not to honor Jesus. They tickle the ears but darken the heart. The love of Christ is absent. When we choose to sit under these people, to listen, learn and follow, we risk dampening the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. When we sit too close, our ears and hearts grow numb to Truth. Where we sit matters.
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters choose their seats well. Let’s pray that they do not sit with the wicked, opting to be present and surrounded by darkness. Let’s pray that they have discretion to sit under teaching that is Biblical and God-honoring, not just what ‘sounds good’ or ‘looks pretty’. Let’s pray that they choose to sit at the feet of Jesus and with those who love Him and want to live for Him.
*Disclaimer* This does not mean we cease to be salt and light to those who are unbelievers. This does NOT mean we cloister ourselves to remain ‘untainted’ by the world. We’re not called to live in a ‘bubble’. But there is a difference between going out, sitting down and engaging with others who need the Lord and who need to *see* God in us, vs. choosing to align oneself with people and activities that do not please the Lord, excusing bad behavior and acting without wisdom or discretion. We’re called to be in the world, but not of it. 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Pray for discretion. Pray that our sons and daughters choose their seats well. It matters where they sit.
Pray without ceasing.