When we read the story of Job, perhaps what can get overlooked is the brief commentary of his life prior to the devil tempting him. In Job 1:5, it states, “So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did regularly.”

Parents today want the best for their children. They want to make sure they are clothed and have food and shelter. Then there is the desire for them to be healthy and to enjoy their youth. Yet Job demonstrated to the Father in Heaven what was important to him. His children’s spiritual well-being was on his mind continually. Notice Job’s concerns centered around what he couldn’t know. Outwardly they could convey to Job they were okay spiritually, but what was truly in their heart?

Children, like all people, can put on a front and pretend to be something they are not. Please understand it wasn’t so much a lesson about a parent not trusting in their kids as it is a parent’s relationship to his Creator. Job didn’t want his children to have done anything against the Father in heaven. When a parent has this attitude, the children will soon learn what their parent really wants from them – to be godly.

It wasn’t that Job thought about this once in a while; we are told he did this regularly. Hopefully this made an impression upon his children and they didn’t curse God in their hearts. After all, we read in Job 1:18-19, all of his sons and daughters were killed when a great wind came up and caused the house to collapse. Life is uncertain and we all need to be prepared for when death comes. For those of us who have children, let’s make sure we instill the need for them to be faithful to the Lord. They will see this in the way you live for Him.

Chuck