“A story that continues to repeat itself far too often!”

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

             I recently ran across this story called, "A Judge's Haunting Words" by an anonymous writer. "I went to Bible classes when I was small and learned all about God. After I was married I decided to go again and take my children. I couldn't persuade my husband to go, but the children and I went regularly for a year. Then I skipped a Sunday. And soon I skipped two or three. Then we went only on special days. Soon I joined a bowling team that competed on Sunday. I could go to worship and Bible classes, but I would have to give up bowling. Bowling won the battle.

Not long ago in a courtroom, I heard the judge say, "Twenty years!" He was pronouncing a sentence on my 21-year-old son for a robbery that ended in the death of a man. The sentence might have been less, but my son took a sneering, defiant attitude all through the trial; ridiculing every officer and official in the courtroom.

But the crowning, shocking climax came when the judge sternly asked, "Young man, don't you believe in God?"

My son laughed and said, "God? Who's that?" Every person in the courtroom turned to look at me. If only I had those years to live over! I would attend Bible classes and worship services faithfully and make sure my children attended as well.

I wonder how many times parents have made this same statement? If only they could turn back the clock and put God first in their marriages and in their children's lives. In far too many cases the damages are already done. Make no mistake about it!

We are rearing a new generation of children who literally have no clue concerning God because the generation before them didn't teach them! Children will not of their own volition learn about the Lord. God places children in our care to bring them up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:4).

Parents must wake up before some judge places a jail sentence upon their children. We will all give an account to God one day for our young ones. If our children lose their souls for all eternity, we would feel terrible, and yet, we can start by training them in the ways of God. We must begin with ourselves first! See you in church this Lord's Day?   

(Daily Devotional By J. Raymond Pecoraro Wooddale Church of Christ )

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