Richard Hollerman

We have probably heard of the passage in the Old Covenant writings that say, “Children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” This is not to say that the Lord doesn’t provide as a “gift” to  others but let us remember that these young and precious little ones are especially loved and given as a “gift” from God almighty.

I always thought that I would have a dozen children and that this was in God’s plan, however it didn’t work this way. I thought that by the time I was out of my child-bearing age, that God would give me children—many of them. After all we were going to have many children and raise them all in this way. We were going to have children and home-school them all. It didn’t work this way and I commit it all to God who knows all things well. Instead of being the father of a dozen children, we had none. We tried, through medical intervention, but still had none. And my wife, though she tried and tried, was unable to have the children that we wanted.

But still we know that “children” are a “gift” from the Lord and He knows best. We have friends who had children—many of them—but still we know that this is generally God’s plan. We also know of families in which children were given but they had children who were not at all what they had planned. They had “problems” and still have problems.

We also know of families with children but they are not at all with the Lord. They all went astray. They are not with the Lord and I don’t know if they ever will be submitted to Christ. At my age, I wonder what has happened. These families have children who have turned to Christ (I thought) but they are without Him. These are dozens of children without Christ and without a living relationship with Him.

They all seem to know Jesus and now have spouses who know Him. But they are without Him. Perhaps they also have grandchildren—but still they are without Him. They are gone. They are without Jesus and probably never had Him and never will. Instead, they have turned to Jesus in name only and that is the end. I could wish that these dear ones really did know Jesus but apparently they don’t.

Where are they now? I don’t know. Have these people ever come to Christ and where are their parents? Have they ever come to Christ themselves? So if you have not had children, fear not and do not be dismayed. We might wish that we had children and that they all knew Jesus and were living for Him. But all we can say is that it is a rare thing for this to be. Most children don’t know God, have not known Him, and probably will never know Him.

Do what you can and pursue righteousness yourself. Pray and pray diligently for them, even before they are given, and if God should give children to you and your spouse, seek Him with all of your heart. If you have children and will be given children, daily seek Him and pursue His will. Of the nine billion people in the world, perhaps there are a few children who know Jesus. Let us lift up these precious ones and seek Him in all ways.

They need to be schooled in the ways of righteousness. They need to be kept from the ways of the world. They need to be trained in the ways of the Lord and they need to be earnestly focused on the ways of Christ. Of the nine billion children and people in the world, there may be a few who seek the ways of Christ. Let your children be among these dear ones.