Reflections on Proverbs 14:26

What makes my kids secure?

What is it that makes my kids secure? Is it my parenting skills, my ability to make money, my correct doctrine, my professional prestige, my interpersonal skills? No. None of the above.

Proverbs 14:26 gives the answer: "Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security" (Living Bible).

It's my reverence for God, my relationship to Him that makes my kids secure. How can I know if I revere God? Here are some possible indicators:

  • Is prayer important to me or do I go through the motions?
  • Do I sometimes cry for joy to be in God's presence or don't I feel a thing?
  • Am I thankful for all that I have or do I complain a lot?
  • Do I relax and laugh often because God is in control or am I always on edge?
  • Do I have a twinkle in my eye when I look at my wonderful wife or do I take her for granted?

    Just recently, I took my 19-year-old daughter out for dinner. Our relationship was strained because I had become critical of her. So I developed a list of positive things to say about her. My bottom line was my excitement at how strong her desire to love God and to serve Him was. She in turn was happy that, after my deep depression in which I had felt abandoned by God, I was now closer to Him than ever before. I'm just starting to live this verse, but at least I've made a beginning.

    This one is by Bob Sukkau of Abbotsford, B.C.

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