CHILDREN BELONGS TO GOD

(Text of message delivered at child dedication service@ Christ Powerhouse Church Houston on 7/28.2024)

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” – Psalm 8:2;Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31;“Think of what you are, you Christians. You are God’s children; you are joint heirs with Christ. The ‘many mansions’ are for you; the palms and harps of the glorified are for you. You have a share in all that Christ has and is and shall be.” ― Charles Spurgeon; “Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” ― Mother Teresa; “Hope lingers over us like a lullaby because we were created to experience love and to give love.” — Robin Jones Gunn

Psalm 127:3-5; Mark 10:13-16 (Matt 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17)

Definitions: Dedication means:

1. to set them apart,
2. Sanctify them;
3. Demonstrate God is the real owner;
4. Parents are custodians;
5. A signal and warning to the Satan and its cohorts
6. The child is a precious gift to God; then humankind care, direct,  train, admonish, & appreciate them. Don’t despise them; don’t maltreat and don’t abuse them.
7. A significant member of the family and society; now accepted as important member of the Church

Psalm 127:3-5

Christian writers believe the Psalm was written by King David for Solomon. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). He had so many children and descendants that he hardly knew a few personally. Yet he trained and taught them wisdom from God. The import/thrust of this Psalm is the essence of God’s involvement in His people’s lives. This psalm started with the concept of “building and protecting.”  Solomon says “unless God builds a house” builder’s efforts are fruitless. Unless He watches over a city, the guards will watch in vain; thus, becoming prey to the enemies. The Old /Testament believers/writers considered a family as a house or household. This introduces God’s work  in building and protecting the foundation of a society, the family.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “We are here taught that builders of houses and cities, systems and fortunes, empire and churches all labors in vain without the Lord; but under the divine favor they enjoy rest, sons (children) who are in Hebrew called builders are set forth as building up families under the same divine blessing to the great honor and happiness of their parents.”

Children are God’s heritage / precious gift, rewards and blessing:

a) Source of wealth/inheritance from God: Today many thinks of inheritance just as we think of abundance basically of money, property (houses), land, valuables jewelries etc. Nevertheless, the truth is that Children are God’s amazing wealth/riches given to us  by God. Offsprings are critically part of God’s covenant. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a real blessing. Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a rewards (vs.3). Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, Your children like olive plants. around your table. (Psalm 128:3). “All your sons will be taught of the Lord; And the well-being of your sons will be great. Isaiah 54:13; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 ESV. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers” Proverbs 17:6 ESV. “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 ESV. The Bible tells us kids are gifts from the Lord, like. Psalm 127:3 says. They add joy and meaning to families. Seeing my own kids grow and smile proves they’re precious treasures.

Deuteronomy 7:13 shows us God’s promise. If you follow His ways, He will bless your family with children and food. Your farms and animals will thrive. God tells us to obey Him for blessings. Families will be strong and full of joy with the children as a reward from Him. Genesis 33:5 reads, “Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked. Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’ “Jacob viewed his children as blessings from God. He told Esau that his children were gracious gifts from Heaven, showing deep appreciation for them. The Bible captures Jacob’s thankful heart towards his family in this scene. This story teaches us about parenthood. It highlights that children are more than just family members; they’re gifts from above. By acting with humility and care, Jacob serves as a role model for parents to see their children as precious gifts from God. (Read: Gen 15:5, 26:26;; Psalm 137:13-14;1 Cor 7:13-14).

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him”(1 Samuel 1:27). Hannah indeed needed a child. She prayed to God for a son and promised that her son would serve the Lord all his life. God answered her prayers and gave her Samuel. Hannah said, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of him,” as seen in  Hannah’s promise shows something important. Our children are not just ours; they have a role in God’s plan too. It teaches parents to guide their children towards God’s will. Hannah’s story is about faithfulness, gratitude, and giving back to God. .“He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 113:9). The Psalmist here gives hope to women who can’t have children. It says God makes them joyful mothers. This Bible verse shows that kids are blessings from God.

Emily David on Children Being A Blessing (Explained) explains, “Children are a precious gift and blessing from God, bringing joy, purpose, and legacy to families and communities. Let’s celebrate the verses that affirm the inherent value and significance of children, reminding us of our responsibility to nurture, protect, and cherish them as treasures entrusted to our care by the grace of God. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3. This verse reminds us that children are a gift from God. They are not just a biological result or a burden, but a blessing. God entrusts us with the responsibility of caring for and raising children, and it is a privilege to do so. Children bring joy, laughter, and a sense of purpose to our lives. They enrich our families and communities, and they have the potential to positively impact the world. We should value and cherish the blessing of children, recognizing that they reflect God’s goodness and love.

b) Source of safety and protection: (vs 4)

Children are compared to “arrows,” that are common weapon for battles or wars during the Bible times. So, God has designed the children to be like warriors providing protection or safety for their parents, especially in old age, when they can no longer effectively defend themselves. More children suggest more defenders. They are a source of recruitment for the military. Parents must realize that no one becomes a warrior without training. Children are represented as the defenders (arrows) of their parents in war, and in litigation. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man – They are what a parent may rely on for defense in danger, or for help in securing provision for himself and family – as the warrior or the hunter relies on his arrow. They are a great support and defense to a family. Those who have children will always have someone to stand with them ( Psalm 127:5b ). An event in the life of Jacob illustrates that “children are a heritage from the Lord.” When his wife Rachel was childless, she demanded of Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” ( Genesis 30:1 ).

Benson commentary writes, “Children born to their parents when they are young, who are generally the strongest and most healthful children, grow up, and become qualified to serve their parents by the time they need their service, and who live longest with them. Such children, when well educated, pious, and obedient, are like so many arrows in the hand of a mighty man, “ready winged with duty and love to fly to the mark; polished and keen to grace and maintain the cause of their parents, to defend them from hostile invasions, and instantly to repel every assailant. Happy is he who hath his quiver full of them — Whose house is as full of children as the quiver of a mighty man is of arrows. These parents, who have such a numerous issue; shall not be ashamed. They shall courageously plead their cause in courts of judicature, which were held at the gates of cities, not fearing to be crushed by the might of their adversaries, as weak and helpless persons frequently are.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary had this to say, “Children who are young, may be directed a right to the mark, God’s glory, and the service of their generation; but when they are gone into the world, they are arrows out of the hand, it is too late to direct them then. But these arrows in the hand too often prove arrows in the heart, a grief to godly parents. Yet, if trained according to God’s word, they generally prove the best defense in declining years, remembering their obligations to their parents, and taking care of them in old age. All earthly comforts are uncertain, but the Lord will assuredly comfort and bless those who serve him; and those who seek the conversion of sinners, will find that their spiritual children are their joy and crown in the day of Jesus Christ.   Arrows must be sharpened and carefully chiseled as well as straightened.  It must be properly  directed and promptly released. It is a weapon of war. It could serve either as an offensive weapon in pursuing the enemies or defensive weapon against attacks of the enemies. If parents want their children to be winners in life, they should help them live according to God’s principles found in the word of God  Only when you make them fall in love with God and His word that they live a life of victory and success.  (Read Prov 22:6; 14:12; Psalm 109:105; Joshua 1:8-9). As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man,…. Are shot out with great strength; come with much force, and do execution, and do not return in vain; with which men defend themselves, and annoy their enemies; (see Jeremiah 50:9) so are children of the youth: not young children, or children in their youth; but such who are born to their parents when they are in their youth; and which are generally healthful and strong, and their parents live to see them grown up; and who are useful to protect them, and defend their persons and properties from enemies when grown old and feeble, and unable to defend themselves

“The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!” Proverbs 20:7. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4; “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

c) Source of Pride and honor.(vs 5)

The word “quiver” means a case used in carrying the arrows. God’s people count it a blessing for the privilege of having a lot of them. Children who represent their families before the town gate or court of elders or leaders are counted worthy blessings. They shall not put their families to shame. Wes McAdams on PSALM 127 RE-EXAMINED: Children Are Like a Quiver Full of Arrows writes, “ Christian parenting experts love to quote this passage, but often miss the real meaning of the passage. They believe this passage implies that children are not supposed to stay connected to their parents, but rather are supposed to be shot out into the world like an arrow shot from a bow. In our culture, we believe young people should move away from home and “discover” themselves. We think they need a clean break from mom and dad. But the way communities, economies, and families worked in ancient Israel and the way they work today are very different. In biblical times, families  which you are familiar breed sons who would become hardworking adult men, take wives, and have children, but they typically did not move away from their father’s property or influence. They stayed to help and support the family. Whether in the days of the patriarchs or the days of the kings, families typically stuck together.

Wes adds, “In fact, much of the Law required families to remain in close proximity. The land in Israel was parceled out to tribes and families. If a family member fell on hard times and had to sell his property, close relatives needed to be close by to redeem the land for their kinsman. If a brother died without leaving a child, the brother would marry the widow so that the brother’s heritage would not be cut off. Much of the world still operates in a similar fashion. Can you imagine how ridiculous it would be to tell a poor villager in some other part of the world that he is supposed to send his children away once they reach adulthood? Can you imagine telling him, children shouldn’t be expected to stay and help the family, but should be encouraged to go and find their own independence? While our modern American way of thinking may not be sinful, it is shaped more by culture than Scripture The psalmist says a man’s “sons” are given to him by the Lord, and they are like arrows in his hand or in his quiver. He concludes the metaphor by telling us why sons are like arrows. A father with many sons, “shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:5).

This doesn’t necessarily mean children have to stay in their hometown or not go off and live their own lives. Although, if an adult child gets too disconnected from his/her parents, and does not provide for their parents’ welfare, they have “denied the faith” and are “worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). We don’t have to pretend we still live in ancient Israel, but we must make sure we don’t fail to honor our parents because of our American customs and traditions (Matthew 15:1-9).All that being said, the application of Psalm 127 is pretty simple and powerful: You can wear yourself out with your career, your kids, or anything else — but if the Lord isn’t at the center of everything you do, it will all be for nothing. So, fear the Lord and He will bless you.

Parents want their children to become: – Psalm 127:1-2; Ephesians 6:4 (1-4)

• Have good, right character – honest, responsible, always committed to do what is right.
• Have the right set of friends – those with positive influences on them – iron sharpens iron
• Do well in school and attend the right college
• Possess an excellent job and be stable financially.
• Get a right life partner and raise an amazing family