God's Plan for the Family
Saturday, October 24
Malachi 4:6 ( NKJV)
“And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Devotion
We see examples in the Bible of women who followed God and were obedient to Him.
Women like Rahab, the harlot, who hid the spies because she feared the Lord. She later became an ancestor of King David, who became the king of Israel. Why? Because Rahab feared God and acted in faith.
Ruth also became the great-grandmother of David. She chose to stay with her mother-in-law, while her sister-in-law returned to her own people. Ruth also became part of the lineage of Jesus, our Lord.
Tamar lost two husbands because they disobeyed God. Judah promised her that she could marry his son Shelah, but he later went back on his word because he feared his last son would die as well. Although Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and slept with Judah, God still chose to include her in the lineage of our Lord. Judah had deceived her by withholding his son, and Tamar resorted to deception herself. In the end, Judah was confronted with his wrongdoing and acknowledged that Tamar was more righteous than he was. (Genesis 38:26)
This shows us that God honors those who take care of their own. In contrast, Achan thought only of himself when he took the spoils that God had commanded the Israelites to leave behind. He coveted the gold, silver, and clothing, causing the Israelites to be defeated at Ai. (Joshua 7:21)
God takes our obedience and disobedience seriously. Parents are to care for their children and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children are supposed to honor their parents and not be like Absalom, who deliberately dishonored his father, David, by stealing the hearts of the people, plotting to kill him, and taking over his kingdom. Absalom ultimately faced the consequences of his actions.
God does not approve of families turning against one another or children abandoning their parents. He blesses those who choose to obey Him and brings consequences for disobedience. The fifth commandment is very clear about this: when we honor our parents, it comes with a promise of blessing.
Choose today to be obedient, so that one day your children can say that you were a true man or woman of God.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to be obedient to Your Word and faithful in the responsibilities You have entrusted to me. Teach me to love, honor, and care for my family in a way that pleases You. Search my heart and correct me where I fall short. May my words and actions draw my family closer to You, and may I leave behind a legacy of faith that honors You for generations to come. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Choose to honor God through your actions by loving, caring for, and honoring your family according to His Word. Your obedience can leave a lasting legacy of faith for generations to come.
Resources
- Read Matthew 1:1–6: See how Rahab, Ruth, and Tamar appear in the lineage of Jesus, demonstrating God's work through imperfect people and complicated circumstances.