Imitate Me -

Why does Psalm 127 state that children are a heritage from the Lord and that a man who has a quiver full of children is happy? Anyone who knows me at all will know that I am not presently capable of an exegetical or exhaustive treatment of the Biblical answer to this question. However, I came across a passage this morning that helped me with at least one aspect of the blessing of children.

1 Corinthians 4:15-17 says, "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church."

Though Timothy was not Paul's biological son, we have a great picture of the arrow being drawn from the quiver and launched into the Corinthian church as Paul endeavored to build the Kingdom. Parents, who are blessed with children and who are faithful to God and His Word in training them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, are equipped in a special way to impact the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Children are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. What a wonderful blessing. Parents not only experience the obvious joy of children in the home, but when those children leave the home, parents can say, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." That is, go forth and glorify God, enjoying Him forever; strive for holiness; build the Kingdom of God. Just as you have witnessed my walk with God and my imitation of Christ, go and do likewise.

Blessed be our Heavenly Father who remembers us according to His lovingkindness and grants such wonderful blessings to us because of that mercy.