ARE YOUR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN HIS PRESENCE?

“For what great nation is there that has GOD SO NEAR to it,
as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?”
(Deuteronomy 4:7).

In Bible times God had a tabernacle and later a temple where He deigned to dwell in the midst of His people. We no longer have a temple but out God is a dwelling God and He still loves to dwell in our homes.

One of the most beautiful things we can do as a mother and homemaker is to make our homes a dwelling place for the living God. I love the Scripture in Hebrews 9:1 (JBP) where it tells us about God’s sanctuary “a holy place in this world for the eternal God.”

I also love the words in Psalm 84:1-3 (NLT): “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heavens Armies . . . Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!”

This is such a beautiful word to us mothers. How often we feel overwhelmed and wish we had more time to read God’s word and spend time in His presence. But how do we do this with little babies and toddlers and even older ones all vying for our attention. It seems impossible.

But dear mothers, we need to think of our homes as God’s sanctuary and each room as an altar of the Lord. Instead of thinking we have no time to spend with God let’s remember to live to live in in His presence. As you dedicate your home to Him to be His sanctuary, you are living in His presence. Even in the midst of bedlam and all the needs of your little children, remember that you are making a nest for your children in the presence of the Lord.

Be reminded of God’s word to you in Isaiah 49:16: “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before.” The walls of your home are continually before the Lord. You are not alone. God is with you and watching over everything that is going on. He wants you to mother in His presence. I love God’s Word translation which says: “Your walls are always in my presence.”

Just as the swallow built her nest in the temple of God, make a nest where you can lay your little ones near His altar. As you nurse your baby on your rocking chair, think of it as an altar as you pray for this child and dedicate him or her to God. Nurture, teach, and guide your children in His presence.

When you sit at your table with your children realize it is an altar where you feed your children body, soul, and spirit. As your husband reads God’s word at the end of the meal you too will find sustenance as the Scriptures are read.

You can make every room in your home an altar. I remember one time when my children were little and I longed, like the psalmist, to be in the courts of the Lord. How could I get away alone? I decided to take my four under four into the bedroom and closed the door. I kneeled by my bed and began to pour out my soul to the Lord. As I entered into His courts, His presence filled the room.

Suddenly there was a knock on my door. A guy who was boarding at our place was home and began shouting, “Please calm down those children, I can’t sleep!” I was so enjoying the Lord’s presence I didn’t even notice all the noise the children were making!

This psalm continues: verses 4-6 (NLT): “What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD . . . When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.”

Make your home a dwelling place for God where your babies and children grow up near the altars of the Lord.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Thank you, dear Father, that the walls of my home are continually in Your presence. You see everything that is going on in my home and I thank You that You are with me. I acknowledge Your presence. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am raising my children near the altars of the Lord, in His wonderful presence.