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End Of Age Messages

Fathers: don’t underestimate the power of your influence in the lives of your children and grandchildren. Influence them to the good so that they, too, will be prepared for those times when God tests them.

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A Father’s Influence

Daryl R. Coats     2008

 

 "Looking for that blessed hope," (Titus 2:11-14)


 Shubal StearnsShortly after becoming Israel’s third ruler, King Solomon was tested by God:

“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:5).

Solomon’s answer to this “pop quiz” “pleased God” (1 Kings 3:10):

“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9).

By God’s own admission, Solomon could have asked for a long life, or for riches, or for a worldly honor, or for the lives of his enemies (1 Kings 3:11-14). Instead, the young king “asked for [him]self understanding to discern judgment” (1 Kings 3:11). Why?

Solomon prefaced his answer with six references to his father David:

“And Solomon said, thou has shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou has kept for him this great kindness, that thou has given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in” (1 Kings 3:6-7).

Solomon’s answer reveals the influence of his father David on his life. Consider Solomon’s later testimony in The Proverbs:

“For I was my father’s son, ... He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principle thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings: and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom: I have led thee in right paths” (Proverbs 4:3-11).

David taught (and showed) his son Solomon that “wisdom is the principle thing” and that he should get understanding with all his getting. Solomon heeded his father’s instruction, and when God later offered him anything that he would ask for, Solomon asked not for wealth or honor or long life but for understanding.

Fathers: don’t underestimate the power of your influence in the lives of your children and grandchildren. Influence them to the good so that they, too, will be prepared for those times when God tests them.

—Daryl R. Coats (Titus 2:11-14)
21 October 2008

The LORD'S Messenger

A Message To The People

“Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.” Haggai 1:13

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