03.03. CHAPTER 03 - GOD WILL SAVE YOUR CHILDREN

CHAPTER 03 - GOD WILL SAVE YOUR CHILDREN “I will save your sons [children]” (Isaiah 49:25).

I got a desperate long-distance telephone call from a mother one day. She had sent her son to study in a college some hundreds of miles away. There his friends had led him into a “Christian” cult-group. Instead of completing his education, the boy had become a fanatical member of that group, and was now giving away all his money to them. He had adopted their ways and their language, and wanted to have nothing more to do with his family. The group quoted Scriptures to justify their actions, but all sensible Christians could clearly see that they were wrong. The leader of the cult would give directions to the members on every little detail of their lives and they lived as a close-knit family. Although they claimed to be happy, they were empty and under bondage. Only a few were ever able to leave the cult. The parents had not given time for God in their family, when the children were growing up. It was only when calamity struck that they began to seek God. Now, they realised that God alone could speak to their son. Only prayer could break the strong chains that bound him.

I think of another young man – this one grew up in a fine Christian family - who was taught by his parents from childhood, to be separate from the world. When he went to college, the peer pressure there made him succumb to wild drinking parties. But God answered the fervent prayers of his distraught parents and today he is a fine Christian man.

Some children who have grown up in godly homes may, at times, have temporary setbacks when they seek to try out the pleasures of this world. We mothers must then pray them out of such dark days.

All mothers have had times when they have wept for their children.

Some weep because their children are born with physical defects or health problems, or are suffering from incurable diseases.

Others, because their children have strayed away from the Good Shepherd and are living like the prodigal son “in a far country” with no communication with the parents, even while living under the same roof as them.

Some are weeping because their son or daughter is lost in a cult and will have nothing more to do with the parents. Some children are victims of alcohol or drug abuse. Others are trapped in wrong friendships. Some have got into criminal ways and are arrested and locked up. In all these situations, the child may have been going through pressures that the parents could not understand or fathom. Maybe the child never felt that he ‘belonged’. He may have felt isolated because of the generation gap between him and his parents. There might also have been a lack of communication between the parents and him. But there is hope for every one of them.

I have heard of many a young man who finally yielded his life to the Lord in a prison. Our children cannot run away from the Lord forever. His love and mercy follows after them and catches up with them finally. A godly woman once said, “Nothing is too great for His power and too small for His love”.

So, dear mother, your tearful prayers are not wasted. Keep on praying.

I visited a Christian family once, where all the four children had been afflicted with a physical disability, that made them waste away when they reached adolescence. Three of the children were bedridden and the oldest had died. But the whole family was still radiant with the love of God. The mother worked hard to make life comfortable for her children, even though she knew that she would have to lay them down in their coffins one by one some day. She wept, but she knew that she would see them in healthy, resurrected bodies one day. A few months back I heard that all the children were now in heaven, and that their life of suffering on earth was over.

God gives us our children as a loan for a short period on earth, to train them for His kingdom. I read a poem once that tells us of our responsibility for the children God gives us: THE CHILD GOD LENT US “I’ll lend you for a little while a child of mine”, God said, “For you to love while he’s alive, and give back when he’s dead.

It may be for a year or two, or five, or four, or three. But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you; and should his stay be brief, You’ll always have his memories as comfort in your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return. But there are lessons taught on earth I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked across the whole wide world and searched for teachers true; And from the folk who live on earth, I now have chosen you.

Now, will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain, Nor hate Me when I come to take this lost child back again?” And this is what the parents said, “Dear God, Thy will be done. For all the joys this child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may. And for the happiness he’ll bring, we’ll ever grateful stay. But if You come and call him home much sooner than we’d planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that come and try to understand.”

(Author unknown)

Remember, dear mother, that children feel many things inwardly. But it is difficult for them to express their feelings in words. So you need to be understanding when they are moody or silent or withdrawn. They are not being evil. They are just struggling with something.

Whatever your child is going through, remember that there is One in heaven Who understands them fully. He stood at the bedside of Jairus’ dead daughter and raised her up. Picture that scene, where Jesus took a few of His disciples and the grief-stricken parents of the little girl into the room and shut the door. Then He raised her from the dead and gave her back to her parents and told them to give her something to eat.

Let Jesus do the same for you today. Allow Him to take you as you weep, into the privacy of your room. He will do something just as wonderful for your child too. Don’t be discouraged.

All mothers who pray regularly for their children will remember occasions when they suddenly got an intense burden to pray for a particular child. After a time of prayer, they find that the burden has gone. Later they discover that it was exactly at that time that their child was facing some danger. This is how God makes us prayer-warriors on behalf of our children. Prayer is not the last resort, but the only answer to the problems our children face. The widow in Nain got her son back from the dead. Your child may be spiritually dead and even stinking (like Lazarus was). But he or she too will hear the call of Jesus and come out alive. So cry to the Lord day and night for your child. God has given us many promises and He will fulfil them all and answer you speedily. Your eye has not seen, neither has your ear heard yet, what the Lord has kept in store for you, if you wait for Him. “What is impossible with man is possible with God “. This verse has been a hidden spring that has strengthened me so many times in my trials. I can testify to innumerable answers to prayer with regard to my own children, in so many varied circumstances. I give all the glory to God for what He has done for all my four boys in answer to prayer. I know that prayer changes things. It can change things for you too – and for your children as well. God is able to do far more for us and our children than we can ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

If your child is the victim of a bad habit, never blame him. He is already hurting enough. He wants to be free, but he cannot break free. And never blame yourself either. That is not the time to say, “If only I had been a better mother.” No mother is perfect. We all do our best, but we make many mistakes as well.

Confess to the Lord anything that is bothering you, and get it over with. Get rid of all feelings of regret and condemnation. Condemning oneself is one of Satan’s sharpest arrows with which he wounds and paralyses many of God’s children and makes them prayerless. We are in a battle-field, fighting for the lives of our children. So let us not spend our energies weeping. There is work to be done and it has to be done right now. Ask God to help you as you speak with your child. Let God break down the barriers that have been built up over the years. Your tearful pleas will work wonders – both with God and with your son and daughter.

You need to fight on your child’s behalf - because he is helpless. It is you who needs to be strong. As David snatched a lamb out of a lion’s mouth once, we too have to snatch our children out of Satan’s mouth.

You were a weak, timid woman until now. But rise up now, dry your tears and join the battle in the heavenlies. Feed on the Bread of Life, use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to fight the devil and to chase him out of your family. Rebuke him in Jesus Name and he will flee, as the Lord promised – at the speed of lightning (James 4:7 & Luke 10:18).

God’s Word must be precious to you at such times. Don’t let this trial with your child sap your spiritual energy. God’s wonderful promises can sustain you in your deepest moments of sorrow. Read the psalms of David. They have a special power to lift our spirits in times of trial and sorrow. Go to God and ask Him to “show you a sign of His favour” towards you (Psalms 86:16). Claim promises such as these:

“I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25).

“He is faithful Who promised.....Has He said and shall He not do it?” (Hebrews 10:23; Numbers 23:19).

“The latter glory shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9).

“You did awesome things which we did not expect” (Isaiah 64:3).

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Such words are prophetic and powerful - and can work wonders for us.

“O wonderful, wonderful Word of the Lord.!

True wisdom its pages unfold: And though we may read them a thousand times o’er, They never, no, never grow old.

Each line has a treasure, each promise a pearl , That all, if they will, may secure; And we know that when time and the world pass away God’s word shall forever endure.”

(Julia Sterling) The Lord Who delivered David from the snares that his enemies laid for him, will deliver your child too (Read and claim Psalms 124:6-8).

Treat your child as if he has a disease, not as though he is a criminal. Never say words like this to your child at any time: “How could you do such a thing to us?”

Perhaps you are ashamed, because of what others may say about your child. But don’t care for the opinions of man. My husband always says that you should throw man’s opinions in the garbage bin! Your child is worth more than any man on earth. So don’t waste your time weeping for the honour of your family that is tarnished. Weep for your child that he may be restored to God. That’s all that matters.

Speak words of healing, forgiveness, faith and reconciliation to your child. Treat him/her like a mature person, because that is what he or she is going to be.

Pray in faith and rescue him out of the devil’s trap. Use the prayer support of Christian friends. Be ready to receive your child unconditionally, just as the father received the prodigal son. If necessary, be willing to get medical, professional help for him. There are people trained to handle such problems among youth and you can get their help. Or you could read up about your child’s problem and help him yourself. Above all, be united with your husband and pray for your child. If there is division in the home, the devil has a foothold. Jesus said that if two are united in His name and ask the Father for anything, it will be granted. So don’t blame anyone. Even if your child may be reaping the consequences of a wayward life, remember that there is hope for everyone. Psalms 119:15 says, “I thought on my ways and turned my feet to Thy testimonies”. The prodigal son returned to his father’s home finally. I am sure his parents must have wept much for him. But one day their tears of sorrow were turned into tears of joy.

Whatever is happening to your child right now may have come as a surprise to you. But it was not a surprise to God. He knew what was going to happen and He already has a solution for it. He has a solution for every problem and even for our every mistake. So we can turn to Him with total confidence and perfect assurance that He will bring our children out of every crisis.

“When my heart was embittered, and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand. With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.(Psalms 73:21-24)

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God will never test you beyond what you can bear. Weeping may last for a night but joy comes in the morning. “The Lord is near the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalms 34:18).

All these crushing experiences make us yield more fully to the Lord and make us wait for Him to work for us and within us. One day even this trial will come to an end. But don’t wait passively. Be ready to act when necessary. God will give you wisdom as to what to do. Bear the crushing, but work while you weep.

We are all so self-reliant and self-sufficient that only trials can teach us to pray and depend on the Lord. “Tribulation works patience...” The Lord has taught us to fast and pray. Knock at Heaven’s gates and they will be opened for you, however timid and weak you may be. In the secret hours of the night, pray your heart out to God. You will soon see heaven open and the answer to your supplication. Write down the promises He gave you in those dark days and you will see each one like a rainbow or a precious gem that you can pass on to help others one day. The Father who hears your prayers in secret will reward you openly. He has also said that He will answer us speedily. So persevere in prayer until you get the answer. It is not God’s will that your child should be lost eternally. The kingdom of God belongs to those who take it by violence; Jesus challenges us to take the kingdom .

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who reverence Him and delivers them.” (Psalms 34:7).

“God is able to do far more than we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). So ask Him in faith. Come boldly to the throne of grace and persist in prayer.

“Arise cry out in the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord…. for the lives of your children” (Lamentations 2:19).

Fasting applies not only to food. We can fast from the vanities of life, from living a life of pleasure and from doing what our selfish passions dictate. It is not difficult to fast when there is a crisis - for our appetite vanishes anyway. But fasting is a choice that we make. Jesus said that some demons could be cast out only if we fasted and prayedd.

We do not wrestle with human beings but with demonic forces. Satan is furious because his end is near and he is throwing newer and more cunning missiles at God’s people. But Satan and his demons were all defeated by Jesus on Calvary. In the book of Revelation, we see a description of their final end. And by faith, we see Satan already in the lake of fire. Praise God!

I heard a godly man once say that prayer is like a rope with which we can pull our children back to God. In 2 Kings 4:7, we read of a creditor (a picture of the devil) who had come to take away the sons of a poor widow, as slaves. The prophet Elisha told the widow to go home and collect empty vessels from her neighbours, shut the door behind her and her sons (a picture of prayer) and to pour out the oil (a picture of the sufficiency of the Holy Spirit). Her debt was thus paid and her sons were miraculously freed from the creditor. That poor widow must have wept and prayed to God, because she did not want to lose her children. Her prayer and weeping must have been desperate. And God answered her prayer. My dear sister, God will do the same for you. Are you weeping today for your children? Let me give you a promise from Hebrews 10:35 :“Women received back their dead by resurrection.”

Claim that for your loved one who is spiritually dead at this time. God will bring him back to life. God wants to show you great and marvellous things in answer to prayer (Jeremiah 33:3) - and He always plans to do good to you (Jeremiah 29:11; Jeremiah 32:40).

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and continue steadfastly in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

“This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).