Daily Devotional Thought--For the Family

Proverbs 8:1-4

¹ Does not wisdom call?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

² On the heights beside the way,

     at the crossroads she takes her stand;

³ beside the gates in front of the town,

     at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

⁴ "To you, O men, I call,

     and my cry is to the children of man.

Devotion

In the name of + Jesus.

Our kids love getting new things.  They love getting new toys, new books, new shoes, you name it.  Kids love getting new things.  But why?

Is because they’re bored with older things?  Is it that there’s something lacking in those things which have served previous generations so well?  Are today’s children somehow different than those who have grown up in previous generations?  Are time tested tools and toys and teachings somehow inadequate for today’s children who delight in that which is new, and love that which is new, and continuously demand new things?

I say no.

Remember, children are inquisitive.  They’re curious.  That’s how they learn.  That’s how they’re stimulated.  That’s how they stay occupied.  Be it a new book, or a new toy, or a new show on T.V., they like new things because there is something in them to be discovered; something to be explored; something to keep their mind occupied…until they’ve figured it out.  Kids don’t delight in things because they are new.  They delight in them because they are new to them.

Why is this important to remember?  Because, as parents, grandparents, pastors and teachers, we have confused our children’s curiosity with a demand for things that are new.  And as a result, in order to satisfy them—in order to keep them occupied—we only give them new things.

But there’s a problem with things that are new.  They’re haven’t proven themselves beneficial.  Sure, they look appealing; they look attractive; they look to be so good!  But over time, we find, that so many new things are proven to be no better than the old things they promised to replace.  Margarine was supposed to be better than butter.  But now we’re finding out that margarine’s chemical components have side effects that are far worse than butter’s natural fats.  Of course, that’s just one example, and it’s really not that important what you put on your banana bread, now is it?  But what you give your children, and your grandchildren; what we give to those little ones in Sunday School is VERY important.

The verses from Proverbs above remind us that Wisdom’s call is not only to the white-haired retirees among us.  On the contrary.  Wisdom’s call is to the children of man!  And unlike that which is new, wisdom has been  around awhile.  Wisdom has stood the test of time.  Wisdom is what remains after innovation comes and goes, and fads fail again to satisfy.  Wisdom is what endures.  And believe it or not, wisdom is what calls to our children.

Wisdom perks the curiosity of curious children.  Wisdom challenges children who love to learn.  Wisdom offers answers to a world which children want to understand.  Wisdom offers depth to children who love to dig.  And wisdom will not be easily exhausted.  Which is why, when children who can ask “why” more times than parents and grandparents can endure, are given wisdom rather than the latest new thing, they will be given something to keep them busy the rest of their lives.

And how do we give them wisdom?  By giving them what will endure forever—the Word of God (Isaiah 40:8).  You see, children haven’t tired of the Word of God—it’s their parents who have.  Children will delight in it, and will devour it, not only because it is new to them, but because it is wise.  They’ll want to try to take it in.  So let’s give them the opportunity.

Of course this means that parents and grandparents may have to learn to disicpline ourselves so that we don’t give them simply what is new.  But maybe in the process, we’ll finally learn that there is wisdom in trusting what the Word of God has always said.  After all, who do we trust to strengthen our children and our families?  Society’s new ideas?  Or the one who created us, and has promised to give us all good things?

God bless your children, and may they discover the wisdom of God’s Word each and every day.

In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

Prayer

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word; Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the kingdom from Your Son and bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known, for You are Lord of lords alone; defend Your holy Church that we may sing Your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth, send peace and unity on earth; support us in our final strife and lead us out of death to life (LSB #655).