The theme for Open Heaven Daily Devotional September 2 2023 is Protect Them First.
SCRIPTURE: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.“ Matthew 7:12 (KJV).
The elders have a proverb that says you first chase away the fox before you ask the hen, “Why did you stray?” In Mark 4:35-41, when there was a storm in the boat and the disciples woke Jesus up, He first stilled the storm before saying, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
This is how Jesus treats us His children. He will first solve the problem before scolding you. Why then do many parents or guardians leave their children to be devoured by the fox when they see that they have strayed?
When the children God has planted around you err, protect them from the error they have made first to ensure it doesn’t destroy them, before you turn to discipline them.
A father, for example, may throw out his daughter because she got pregnant out of wedlock.
Such an action would further expose the girl to the fox already trying to destroy her.
At the end of the day, that child may get into worse problems, especially if she finds help from the wrong set of people.
Children must not be cast away because they made a mistake.
With all the mistakes you make, God continues to call you His child. Should there be discipline? Yes, of course.
Children should be disciplined when they misbehave, but first, fix the problem and keep them safe.
While you discipline a child, it should always still be clear to that child that you love them. There is something called tough love.
A child will know if the real reason you are taking an action is to protect your reputation or out of your love for them.
Nothing hurts a child more than to experience lack of love from the parents. I know it can be disappointing when children don’t meet up to their parents’ expectations.
I am a father too and sometimes I would have taught my children to behave a certain way, only to hear that they did the opposite outside of the home.
However, let us remember that we do the same thing to God and He doesn’t cast us out. He chastens us because He loves us.
Your labour over all the children God has planted around you will not be in vain, in Jesus’ name.
Open Heaven 2 September 2023 Prayer Point:
Father, please give me the patience and wisdom to protect and discipline the children around me with love, in Jesus’ name.