February 20, 2009

A Father’s/Husband’s Responsibility

Original thoughts taken from George Whitefield

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 NKJV)

This comment was made at the end of a long recounting of the blessings God had given to Joshua and the people of Israel. He is calling the people to be thankful, and to serve the Lord. For fathers there is an additional admonition included in the words, “and my house.”

Fathers/Husbands are responsible to act as a prophet, priest, and king in their homes. As a prophet, he is to instruct his family in the things of God. As a priest, he is to lead his family in prayer. As a king, he is to govern his family with justice and gentleness.

I fear what a close examination would discover about our families. As God looks down from heaven, what does He see in your home? Are you characterized by family devotions? Do you give time to the study of God’s word? If Abraham visited your home would he say, as he did to Abimilech, “Surely the fear of God is not in this place?” (Gen 20:11) If we would be moved as to save our own souls, we will not abandon our families.

How are we to accomplish this goal? Many men have told me that they just don’t know how to go about the work. While I appreciate feelings of inadequacy, a simple reading of the Word is not to be considered as deficient. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Simply reading the Bible to your family can accomplish much.

Next, you can pray with and for your family. The best advice I can offer here is just be yourself. Don’t be pretentious, but speak with directness. God knows what you need, and your family will learn to speak to God with sincerity.

OK, if you haven’t been practicing this, your family might complain or think you have gone crazy when you start. However, I tell you they will grow to appreciate your love for them. What is the greatest love? It was said that no greater love is there than when a man lays down his life for another.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV)