Monday, March 14, 2011

Called by God

"And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him." Genesis 7:5

The story of Noah is a very popular one. I’m sure that many of us have tried to imagine what it must have been like for Noah when God called on him to build the ark. How terrifying it must have been to be told by God that He would destroy the world with a flood because of the wickedness of man. Do you ever wonder if Noah asked, “Why me? I don’t know if I can do all that You have asked me to do.”

God called Noah to perform a huge task, but He did not leave him guessing at how to fulfill the tasks that he had been called to. God laid out for Noah the specific measurements and instructions to build this massive floating vessel. He told him how many of the different types of clean and unclean animals to bring on the ark with him. He led Noah and helped in this monumental task.

Jesus later did the same when he called 12 men to the special task of being His apostles. In Mark 3:14 it says, “He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with Him and have authority to drive out demons.” Jesus was with these men and taught them as He walked through His earthly ministry. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God sent His Holy Spirit to the disciples to lead and guide them in the ministry they were called to do. They were then able to share what they had learned with those who heard them. Peter says in Acts 2:26 “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Doesn’t God do the same with each of us in the special and specific tasks that He has called us to do? In Proverbs 22:6 God tells us, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” As parents we have been called by God to train our children in His ways. We are to bring our children to worship where they hear God’s Word. We are to teach them what God says is right and wrong through His commandments. We are to bring them to baptism so that they may be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This is a huge task that God has called us to do, but He does not leave us alone to do it. Through His Holy Spirit and His Word, God shows us the way. God gives us His promise of salvation for us to share with our children.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to the special task of parenting our children and raising them in knowledge of You and faith in Your Son Jesus. Forgive us for the times we try to do it our own way, forgetting to follow Your guidance. Help us to remain strong in Your Word as You guide us in fulfilling this special task. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

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