Guarding the Innocent: The Impact of Our Choices on Children
Lamentations 1:16b
…my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
It is always the children that suffer the most as a result of sin and rebellion! The prophet Jeremiah weeps for the nation of Israel, who has been placed under severe judgment for their rebellion. It is a time when the children cry out to their mothers, “Where is corn and wine?” (see Lam. 2:12). Imagine the hungry cries of those dear precious children… “Mama, I’m hungry! Mama, do you have anything to eat? Mama, my tummy hurts!” What happened? Mama and Daddy failed to put God first in their home! For Israel, this was a literal historical fact that had occurred, but for many today, it is a spiritual occurrence, if not literal as well.
For example, many children are desolate even in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave! To be desolate, in essence, is to be homeless! It is not that the average child in America does not have a house to live in, but it is that many do not have a real home to go to! They cry out of their hunger pains for a little comfort, a little compassion, a little affection and reassuring love from a broken family which has none to offer! And so it is no wonder why so many look for affection in all the wrong places… they didn’t have a Godly home from which to get it! So, the first dope dealer that entices little Johnny, or the first prince charming that catches little Suzie’s attention, and they’re off in a flash! Why? They were homeless! They were looking for a place where they felt needed and loved, and so they took the first chance available.
As misguided as they may be, they are desperate, and will take great risks to get from others what they can’t get from home. No, it’s not right! But, who is the guiltier party, the children who needed love and affection, or the parents who cared too little to offer any? Again, our text says, “...my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.” May every mom and dad reading this today determine in their heart and soul to never let the enemy triumph over them or their family! If not for yourself, do so for your children! They are our future! Let us solemnly swear that the devil cannot and will not have any power over what God has given us! Let us get filled with the Spirit of God, and then pour our very souls into our children, so that they do not suffer from desolation and deprivation of love and guidance!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
…my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
It is always the children that suffer the most as a result of sin and rebellion! The prophet Jeremiah weeps for the nation of Israel, who has been placed under severe judgment for their rebellion. It is a time when the children cry out to their mothers, “Where is corn and wine?” (see Lam. 2:12). Imagine the hungry cries of those dear precious children… “Mama, I’m hungry! Mama, do you have anything to eat? Mama, my tummy hurts!” What happened? Mama and Daddy failed to put God first in their home! For Israel, this was a literal historical fact that had occurred, but for many today, it is a spiritual occurrence, if not literal as well.
For example, many children are desolate even in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave! To be desolate, in essence, is to be homeless! It is not that the average child in America does not have a house to live in, but it is that many do not have a real home to go to! They cry out of their hunger pains for a little comfort, a little compassion, a little affection and reassuring love from a broken family which has none to offer! And so it is no wonder why so many look for affection in all the wrong places… they didn’t have a Godly home from which to get it! So, the first dope dealer that entices little Johnny, or the first prince charming that catches little Suzie’s attention, and they’re off in a flash! Why? They were homeless! They were looking for a place where they felt needed and loved, and so they took the first chance available.
As misguided as they may be, they are desperate, and will take great risks to get from others what they can’t get from home. No, it’s not right! But, who is the guiltier party, the children who needed love and affection, or the parents who cared too little to offer any? Again, our text says, “...my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.” May every mom and dad reading this today determine in their heart and soul to never let the enemy triumph over them or their family! If not for yourself, do so for your children! They are our future! Let us solemnly swear that the devil cannot and will not have any power over what God has given us! Let us get filled with the Spirit of God, and then pour our very souls into our children, so that they do not suffer from desolation and deprivation of love and guidance!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill