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Guiding the Family in Times of Uncertainty

  • Henry Blackaby Baptist Press
  • Published Jul 08, 2005
Guiding the Family in Times of Uncertainty

Hebrews 10:23-25 is very instructive about the times in which we live -- not only to each of us personally but especially when the Truth is applied to our life in our family:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Few would argue with the statement that the family is under attack in our nation and around the world. In fact, a Christian leader in Malaysia who serves with Focus on the Family recently told me that the Islamic government is so concerned about family life there that they've asked him to be a vital part of a group to reestablish family life. They recognize that the Christian faith has something they need for family life in Malaysia.

For parents, these verses in Hebrews tell us many truths that are crucial in our day:

1) Each parent must hold sacred the hope that God has placed in our hearts and do it without wavering. Stability in the parents is the very life of the family. Divorce ought to be unthinkable because of the faithfulness God has for each parent and, therefore, the family. Every child needs this stability for lives and their future.

2) Each parent must build his and her family on the faithfulness of God. Therefore, let us resolve ourselves to be committed to living out each and every commandment of God's Word! God's commands to adults (parents) in Deuteronomy 6:5-7 are clear: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children."

3) Each parent must teach God's Word to their children out of their own heart, with all diligence. We are not to teach them casually or carelessly or occasionally, but diligently. Our children must recognize that God's Word is vital in our lives and, therefore, is to be vital in their own. They must see clearly the difference God is making in our lives to stabilize our families in these bewildering times.

4) Each parent must think constantly about their family, to "stir up love and good works," including exhorting, or urging passionately, each family member to walk in all the ways of God.

5) Each parent must know the times in which we live, especially concerning the promised activity of God and the final return of our Lord. The times in which we live should create a sense of diligence and urgency in living in the entire family.

These are some clear helps to guide our families in times of uncertainty, knowing that there is never uncertainty with God. He remains faithful to every family!

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Henry Blackaby now offers discipleship training on the Internet. Find out more about his upcoming online courses this spring at blackaby.org, or contact him at Blackaby Ministries International, P.O. Box 16338, Atlanta, GA 30321; (404) 362-
9500.


© 2005 Baptist Press. All rights reserved. Used with permission.