As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth…they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. – Psalms 127:4 & 5b
Arrows are sent forth with a focus, a purpose, a direction.
Aimed by the skillful individual, the arrow is pointed in the direction it would be most useful… most valuable… and then it is released with quite a bit of help from the archer. Before that arrow is released, though, it must be checked for straightness to ensure its accurate course, and sharpened to ensure its completion of whatever task the archer sends it forth to do. A bent, dull arrow would be an incredibly useless tool!
I love the comparison of children with arrows by today’s psalmist! Parents are the archers and our children are the arrows. We are to ensure their straightness by teaching, guiding, and instructing them in the paths of righteousness.
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein…” -Jeremiah 6:16
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” -Deuteronomy 6:6-7
We are also to ensure our children’s sharpness…
…carefully chipping away errant thinking or philosophies with the sharp and powerful Word of God (Hebrews 4:12), thus leaving behind useless iron shavings and in its place, a sharpness that enables them to “speak with the enemies in the gate.” AKA: share the gospel with others.
When parents fail to teach their children the straightness of God’s ways, and fail to equip them to sharply share the Word of Truth with others, we shoot forth useless tools into our world. We completely miss the mark of equipping the next generation and our arrows fly every which way as they leave our home. Let’s determine to deliberately care for the “arrows” that the Lord has given to us!
Shannon lives in Lubbock, Texas with her husband, Jeremiah and daughter, Danielle. One of her main passions is teaching! She enjoys doing disciplining lessons with ladies, homeschooling her daughter and visiting with elderly people and shut-ins. Shannon loves her God-given role as Pastor’s wife to the dear folks in her church at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
“Designed to promote Biblical living for today’s Christian Woman.”
It is our highest desire that this publication encourages and edifies ladies in their daily walk with the Lord and strengthens them in their God-given role as wives, mothers, daughters, and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.