II Chronicles 17:3-4 “3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.”

ROLE MODELS

Jehoshapat had watched his father, Asa, follow the Lord, but in his latter days turn away. Jehoshapat, however, determined himself to follow “the example of his father David.” He obviously knew of David’s failures and triumphs. He had read of the blessings God bestowed on David and the other kings who chose to follow the Lord. He made the wise choice.

Teaching our children to obey is always a struggle. Recently, during our Children’s Church, I asked the children if they liked obeying. Shockingly, most of them raised their hand. I actually took a picture and posted it on the Children’s Ministry Face Book page for the parents to see. Lol.

What surprised me was I really expected most of them to NOT raise their hand. I don’t like to obey. My flesh likes to rebel. What I do like, however, is the benefits of obeying. Probably most of those kids did too. They liked obeying because it brought praise from mom or dad. It might even bring a treat. But usually obedience is rewarded, sooner or later.

TEACHING MOMENT

Why do you obey? Is it simply to please the Father? Or is it to get something from Him? Be honest! Do you obey to escape punishment? Do you obey out of love or fear?

We want our children to obey out of love, don’t we? Then we too should be obeying our Heavenly Father out of love for Him. Remember, modeling behavior is better than just talking about it. Why don’t you this week look for a way to obey the Father out of love? But make sure your kids see you obeying. They need to see you model the behavior you want from them. And then the next time they obey out of love, bless them.