Today's Daily Bread
Correct Them
Therapist and mother Lori Gottlieb says that parents who are
obsessed with their children’s happiness may actually contribute to
their becoming unhappy adults. These parents coddle their children, do
not equip them to deal with the real world, look the other way when
their children do wrong, and neglect disciplining them.
In 1 Samuel, we read that the high priest Eli sometimes looked the
other way. We don’t know what he was like as a father when his boys were
young. But he failed to properly deal with their behavior as grown men
serving in God’s temple. They were selfish, lustful, and rebellious,
putting their own needs ahead of God’s Word and the needs of the people.
At first, Eli rebuked them but they would not listen. Instead of
removing them from service, he looked the other way and let them
continue in their sin. As a result of his sons’ sins and because Eli
honored his sons above the Lord (1 Sam. 2:29), the Lord warned Eli that
his family would suffer judgment (v.34; 4:17-18).
As Christian parents, we have the awesome responsibility to lovingly
discipline our children (Prov. 13:24; 29:17; Heb. 12:9-11). As we impart
God’s wisdom to them, we have the blessing of helping them develop into
responsible, God-fearing adults.
They are buds of hope and promise,
Possessed by Him whose name is Love;
Lent us here to train and nourish
For a better life above. —Crosby
Possessed by Him whose name is Love;
Lent us here to train and nourish
For a better life above. —Crosby
Failure to discipline our children is a failure to love them.
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