Include the little ones
June 16, 2013 - Father's Day
Joshua 8:35 - There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.
When we read the Word of God, it becomes evident that our choices affect our children and their future.
History teaches us that whenever Israel turned their back on God and served idols and other Gods, their children paid a price for their actions. The enemy would come in and either kill or carry the little ones away.
God’s covenant with His people clearly ensures abundant blessings, protection, and favour for our little also. This speaks of inheritance and the responsibility lies clearly with parents, especially fathers.
This is an important lesson for us to learn today. If we are to ensure a secure future for our children, we have to serve God without compromise.
Protect the little ones
We should never leave our children at home when we go to church. Their spirits are tuned into the Spirit of God and they hear everything that is said whether they are taken to a prayer meeting in a carrycot at a few weeks old or attend every church meeting.
When God wanted to speak to the people, everyone was gathered together including the little ones.
Offenses
Make sure you do not leave your church because of an offense. The enemy will make sure that offenses will come, but do not take the bait. He wants you to leave your place of worship. His plan is not only to destroy your life, but to destroy the future generations also.
Zechariah 13:7 - "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Luke 17:1-2 - Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Jerusalem was broken down
Nehemiah had a burden for Jerusalem and its people. The walls of the city were broken down and its gates were burnt. He wept when he saw the state of the city because he knew that its demise was as a result of God’s people forsaking Him. They were taken into captivity with their wives and little ones and the city was vandalized.
That is what happens when we move away from God. The walls of our lives are broken and everything breaks down because we are taken into captivity by the devil.
A future for the little ones
Nehemiah repaired the city of Jerusalem and did a number of things to restore God’s people back to Him.
1. Nehemiah repaired the house of God
He made sure the house of God was repaired and removed all the trash that had accumulated over the years.
When we move away from God, we tend to accumulate a lot of rubbish that obstructs us and limits our choices.
2. Nehemiah re-instated the high priest of God
He appointed the priests in their rightful positions. We are high priests and responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of our little ones. We need to take our rightful place as high priests of our homes and lead our families to greatness.
3. Nehemiah gathered the people in the house of God
He brought all the people including the little ones to the house of God. Whenever God speaks to the people, He speaks from His house, the local church.
When we miss church, we miss the Word of the Lord and limit the future of our little ones.
4. Nehemiah re-instated God’s Word
It had been a very long time since the people heard the Word of God. Nehemiah made sure that the Word was read out to everyone in the house of God. They came to realize how little their lives reflected the principles and desires of God.
Our success and protection of our little ones depends on to what extend our lives comply with God’s wishes as written in the Word.
5. Nehemiah removed their idols
An idol is anything that stands between God and us. Anything that has priority over our responsibilities, worship, and love for God is an idol and needs to be removed or pulled down.
An idol will ensure the destruction of our little ones.
6. Nehemiah warned them about their associations
We will become like those we associate with or hang out with.
The Jews had very close friendships with the heathen nations and that caused them to backslide.
The best relationships we can build are with other brothers and sisters of Christ no matter how we perceive their weaknesses.
7. Nehemiah warned them about their sons and daughters in law
Make sure you encourage your little ones to take spouses from the household of faith. Do everything in your power to make sure they do not marry unbelievers, otherwise your little ones will grow up not knowing God and they will not be able to carry your dreams and purposes for the Kingdom of God.
Teach these things to your little ones at an early age. It is never too early to begin, because children understand Kingdom principles better than adults!
8. Nehemiah re-instated tithes & offerings
Nehemiah realized how important it was for the people to bring their tithes & offerings to the house of God.
The people had stopped giving to God and this was one of the reasons why they lost everything.
It is never too late to start giving to God. Start today if you want to reap tomorrow. There are those who will tell you that tithes no longer applies to New Testament believers.
From the Day of Pentecost, the first thing the New Testament church did was to give abundantly to the work of God. They even sold their properties in order to fund the work of God. Why has that changed today?
Perhaps now you understand why things have been going wrong in your life? Protect the life of your little ones so that you can be assured of a happy, prosperous future.
Malachi - 3:10 - Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the Lord of Hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
