But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 3:14,15 ESV)
Children and Faith
If there is one thing that God is absolutely the most expert in, it is raising children. We call Him our heavenly Father because He is. He has raised every one of His children. Ever since Adam. Sometimes with the help of earthly parents, and sometimes in spite of earthly parents.
Christian parents, despite Christ’s command to not worry (Matthew 6:35, Luke 12:25, John 14:1 et al), worry about our children. We seem to think it is part of the job description.
Acts 2:39, Psalm 115:14, and Isaiah 59:21are just a few of the verses in which God promises that He loves our children, as He loves us. If our children (just like us) are in HIS hands… why worry? God is a God of relationships, promises, and generations. Worrying about our children does not demonstrate our love of them… but rather displays our doubt of God.
Paul writes to Timothy, reminding him of the faith that the young Timothy learned from his mother and grandmother. And Timothy is an example of God keeping His promises regarding children. Timothy was raised in faith by his mother (and grandmother.) We are not sure whether his father was completely absent, or not a believer. But Timothy might be considered a young man that God could have let slip through the cracks. But God kept Timothy in the palm of His hand.
And there are more examples. Even examples of children who seemed on the wrong path, but God brought them to Him. People like Adam, Manasseh, and Paul.
This proverb justly criticizes our worries: Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)
Really, it is a question of whether we trust our fears concerning the choices and actions of our children or God’s promises. It is a question of whether we trust our knowledge of human nature or God’s promises. It is a question of whether we trust our observations or God’s promises.
Take the faith God grants us.