The Promise Of Children

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

Psalm 127:3-5

One of God’s most gracious gifts is children. The Giver of every good and perfect gift delights to reward parents and families with new life. Throughout the Old and New Testaments (for example, Genesis 48:9; Joshua 24:3; Ruth 4:13; Isaiah 8:18; Luke 18:15-17), we see that when God wanted to do something good for his people, he gave them children. Babies are not accidents; they come through the blessing of God.

In these verses the psalmist compares children with arrows that go forward, penetrating the future and bringing hope. They are the legacy of their families and will be directed into the future, fulfilling their destiny and purpose.

Although some in our society may find babies to be inconveniences or burdens, the Lord intends them to bring great joy and blessing. I can also attest that children are the crowning glory of their grandparents—our six grandchildren light up our world and bring us more joy than I could have imagined. God formed each of them, making them marvelous creations. He watched them grow from conception to birth and designed them for unique purposes. And as Matthew 18:5 says, when we receive a little child, we are receiving Christ. Whether we are aunts or uncles, mothers or fathers, we should receive such marvelous gifts as children with great rejoicing and thankfulness, with open hearts that will embrace, love, nurture, and pray for them all our days.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift of salvation that came into the world as a baby! Thank you, Father, for the gift of children, your gracious blessing wrapped up in love. Give us hearts to receive and cherish your gifts and to bless each child who comes across our paths.

Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built.

James C. Dobson(1936–), American author and radio host