Your Own Children

Here’s how faith sharing in families is supposed to work. Each gener­ation has a responsibility to pass the family history down to its own children. That includes frustrations and breakthroughs, family tradi­tions, lessons learned, repentance proclaimed, and blessings received. All in preparation for the day of the Lord, when God will bring judg­ment on all humankind.

That’s the overarching message of the prophet Joel. The Old Testament book named after him takes up just a few pages in your Bible, and it’s worth a fresh read. The description of the plague of locusts (which reflects the sinful nature of our world) is a bit frighten­ing, but for those who respond to God’s call to repentance, this is the promise: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25, NIV).

How does Joel imagine the way all that restoration will take place? He describes how generational connections empowered by the Holy Spirit will lead to visions. Sons and daughters, old and young, will inspire people everywhere to call on the name of the Lord and be saved.

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.… I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. (Joel 2:28, 30–32, NIV)

Please don’t miss this: the opening paragraph of the book of Joel explains that believers are supposed to “tell it to their children” (Joel 1:3). Each generation is responsible for speaking into the lives of the next.

I know what you’re thinking. Have I done my job as a parent? Are my own children on the right track? Have they ever heard and accepted the complete gospel? Even if they made a decision for Christ in their younger days, did they understand what they were saying? These are not easy questions.

Ask most pastors, and they’ll try to be encouraging and optimis­tic. But the honest answer can be found in Romans 14:12: “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Keep praying and recognize that God looks at the heart, the Holy Spirit is still at work, and Jesus died for the whole world.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have you experienced locusts sweeping through your life? That’s part of your story. Plus, you’re not alone. Others—including mem­bers of your family—need to hear how God rescued you, restored you, and repaid you for the years the locusts have eaten.

We hope this plan has encouraged you. Explore other resources at https://www.whitakerhouse.com/product/grand-way-to-live/.