Read 2 Kings 23:30-32 30 And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place. 31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem…. 32 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 2 Kings 23:30-32

A friend once told one of his children: “I would rather you had not been born than to see you go to hell.” My wife, Karen, and I have sat with people who have wept over their children’s rejection of the faith. Most of them had tried to model Christ-like lives for their children, but the pressures and influences of this culture, combined with our fallen nature, have pried many of these young people away from the faith.

Is there anything more discouraging than to have your children reject the faith?

We mustn’t assume that exposure and information are enough. Some parents think that if their children attend a Christian school, or a good youth group, stay in a good environment, edit what they watch on TV, and surf the Internet safely, they’ll turn out fine.

But despite all these external controls, our children can still make bad choices. We must not assume that what we’ve given them is enough. We need to place them in God’s hands, crying out to Him to touch their lives.

Second Kings 23:30-32 reminds us of this. Jehoahaz’s dad, Josiah, was a godly man whom God used to usher in tremendous reform and revival, but Jehoahaz did not follow his dad’s lesson. Jehoahaz came from a godly family and had been exposed to reformation. Undoubtedly, he had seen the impact of his father’s faith and faithfulness. Yet he did wrong because it was his choice. There was an assumption that he’d be like his dad. But it was a wrong assumption to make.

We need to take it easy on parents of prodigal kids. It may not be that the parents have done anything terribly wrong. Perhaps it’s the pull of evil and sin in that child’s heart and life? So don’t make assumptions about the spiritual lives of your children. Place them in God’s hands and ask Him to do a deep work in their lives. —Crawford W. Loritts

responding Have I made assumptions about my children’s lives? Do I pray for them consistently? Am I living a life that exemplifies Christ’s compassion?
following Every child needs a praying parent.

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