Finding A Faithful Father

When Joshua spoke his voice rang with the sound of unity: “me and my house.” There was togetherness. And I believe that the reason that unity was there was due to his godly character, his example. His faith was genuine, authentic and as a result his family said, in essence, “Whatever you say, dad, we will agree.”

(Example of taking entire family together to IHOP Pastor’s and Leaders Conference)

The most basic plan for family unity is the marriage vows that we make. When these vows are kept, and the couple is devoted both to the Lord and to each other, there is no more powerful statement of family unity. I love the fact that my children attend a church where people are celebrating more than 50, 60, even 70 years of marriage. It is model of unity, and it is part of God’s plan for the family.

B. The plan also includes endurance when trials arise.

When the family is united, it will endure the trials that come its way. Joshua pressed a godly determination to persevere with his family. He was prepared to stand alone with his family if necessary.

You know, I haven’t pieced together the genealogical history, so I don’t know it for a fact, but 65 years earlier Joshua would have been about 45 years old. That means he may very well have had a wife already. Children even. Maybe was already living the life as a model of a Godly father.

Why is that significant? Well, because 65 years earlier at Kadesh-Barnea, Joshua stood apart from the majority and gave the minority report along with Caleb. He modeled that trials will arise in life, but you stand your ground and do what is right. What you know in your heart and your spirit.

Debbie and I have endured many trials in our 17 years of marriage. Jamie has been along for 12 years worth of those. Allie for 9. And I believe they are learning, observing, seeing what it means to be faithful to your call, faithful to God’s plan even when trials arise. They may not know that now, and probably don’t. Probably just think we are stubborn or stupid much of the time. But now that I’m pushing 40, I can see on the other side what they will see when they get 25 more years down the road. Thirdly. . .

C. The plan must include the devotional life of the family.

And I’m not near as satisfied with my impact and fulfillment of this role as I would like to be. But every evening before he goes to bed, Jamie pulls out his One Year Bible and reads. Then he pulls out his Credo magazine and does another daily devotion. Allie saves up her money to got LifeWay and purchase daily devotional books for girls, and gets up before school to read her Bible beside her mom.

And while I haven’t led the devotional life of the family like I would ideally envision, I do believe that those habits in my children’s lives are not coincidental. They have come from modeling, discussing, and attempting to live out individual and family plans of worship and devotion.

Joshua was determined at least to establish a spiritual oasis with his family knowing that in such an oasis, spiritual giants are grown.