Have you felt the hand of God? Have you felt the lift when you've been disheartened? As parent, I've been particularly discouraged over the decisions I've made to press and seek the direction most pleasing to God.
When children are involved these times can be unbelievably weighty since it is their goodwill that is our ultimate result.
Often along our path, the Christian walk, we meet with a roadblock. The trials may be of an extremely difficult nature or could be something rather trite and irritating. The book of Psalms draws us to King David and we are reminded of the extreme tests of faith that he underwent as a shepherd, a servant, a soldier, a husband, a king and yes, a father -- parenting!! David reminds us that though we are oppressed and downcast, though we are fighting or fleeing from the wicked, though we may be consumed by evil, our Lord is there with us. Psalm 37 is an amazing comfort along the path which seemingly is amiss.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Thou he fall he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth and his seed is blessed." Psalm 37:23-26
So many promises in these few verses: The Lord has ordered our path! We are a delight to our Lord! We will not be totally downcast! We have the Lord's strong hand holding us up! Our God will not forsake His people! God is merciful! He lends to us in times of need! He will bless His descendents! So many phrases that bring comfort to God's people in just four short verses. Praise Him for His love and care especially in our times of distress and discouragement. Those very moments when we struggle with our parental decisions has been addressed so simply: "and his seed is blessed."
http://www.joymag.co.za/article.php?id=96 - Link to JOY! Magazine with this passage Aug. 2006.
Jonathan Edwards (born 1703) was a man wholly devoted to Jesus Christ. ... On their wedding night they committed their marriage to the Lord. By 1900, their descendants included 300 clergymen (pastors, missionaries and theologians), 100 attorneys, 60 judges (one dean of a law school), 60 doctors (one dean of a medical school), 60 authors of fine classics, 100 professors and 14 presidents of universities, 3 mayors of large cities, 3 state governors, a controller of the US Treasury and a Vice-President of America who became President Theodore Roosevelt.
Erin Georgiou, Editor of JOY! Magazine.
This sketch of Sarah Pierpont may have been drawn sometime before her wedding ceremony to Jonathan on July 20, 1727. Sarah was 17 and Jonathan 23, their marriage lasted over thirty years until Jonathan's death from small pox. George Whitfield commented on the marriage, complimenting Sarah's home management style that was cheerful, efficient, peaceful; the couple shared a mutual support and admiration toward each other. Whitfield stated, "a sweeter couple I have not seen."
Upon his death, Jonathan's last words were to his wife: "...give my kindest leave to my dear wife and tell her that the uncommon union which has so long existed between us has been of such a nature as I trust is spiritual and therefore will continue forever; and I hope she will be supported under so great a trial and submit cheerfully to the will of God."
