As part of the M’Cheyne Daily Bible Reading, we are reading through the book of Numbers these days. In Chapter 31, God directs Moses to carry out the Lord’s vengeance on the Midianites because of their wickedness against the Israelites. The Midianite women had enticed the Israelites to indulge in sexual immorality and idol worship. The Lord’s anger burnt against the Israelites first, and many leaders as well as 24,000 men were killed that day. Then in Chapter 31 we see how severely God punishes the Midianites for causing the Israelites to sin against Him. God commands all men, including young boys, to be destroyed as well as every woman who has ever slept with a man. Whether it’s that of a young boy or of a grown man, life is precious. However, my mother’s heart aches a little more every time I read about young children getting killed in the Bible or in real life situations for that matter.
As I saw the devastation caused by the recent tornado in Oklahoma, once again my heart was broken over the seven children who died when their elementary school collapsed. “How terrified those kids must have been! I bet they cried for mommy or daddy. Did anybody get to say a prayer for them?” I cannot help but wonder how horrific it must have been like for those young children during the last few minutes. And it hasn’t been that long since 20 innocent children lost their lives in a Connecticut elementary school shooting incident. Of all the places, these children were killed while in school, the one place that’s supposed to be a safe haven for children!
Unfortunately however, natural disasters and gun violence are not the only life-threatening factors we face. You can be the safest driver in the world, but you cannot always avoid a drunken driver crossing the center line. You may eat healthy and exercise, but that doesn’t exempt you from illnesses. Parents can try very hard to protect their children from harm, but they cannot be with their children 24/7. Even if they could, that still would not guarantee their child’s safety and well-being. So what can parents do? Is there anything they can do to ensure their child’s safety?
There are things parents can do. Parents can pray for their child’s physical and spiritual well-being. They can also educate their child about safe habits and what to do in case of an emergency. That’s all good; however, it’s not enough! There is one thing that every loving parent must do for their child’s safety. What is it? They must make sure that their child is saved; that he/she has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and is heaven-bound. The child who lives with the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ is indeed the safest child! The Children’s Summer Retreat for 3rd – 5th graders is on 6/21 – 6/23. If you have not signed up your child, please do so today. Our own Pastor Keeyoung Kim at MD Campus was saved at a Promiseland Retreat. Additionally, starting in June, I will be conducting a one-on-one Gospel presentation with each child. Please pray for me and for the children so every child can be assured of their salvation through Jesus Christ and become eternally safe.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverb 22:6
From Pastor Sara’s Heart
May 26, 2013