II Chronicles 24:1-2 “1 Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

FORGETFUL

Joash took the reign of Judah at 7 and was a good king until…. The last seven words of verse 2 says, “all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” Joash was a good king only while the man who raised him and advised him lived. He even went so far as to kill Jehoiada’s son when he confronted him. Sad!

Do your children only do good when you are watching? When they think you can’t hear them or see them they misbehave or are mean to their siblings. But the moment you enter the room their halo magically appears.

TEACHING MOMENT

Learning to do the right thing when no one is looking is a trait much needed today. We must teach our children that God is ALWAYS looking – not to punish them, but to guide them. They can always rely on Him to give them the wisdom to make the right decision.

I have seen too many children grow up in godly homes who always did the right thing. They never had any issues with their parents. They seemed to always have the right attitude. They were model children as far as behavior. But the moment they left home for college they became raving lunatics. Every kind of trouble you could imagine became part of their life. Why? Were their parents to blame? No, the choices they made were their own. But for some reason they thought the absence of the parental figure meant freedom to do anything they wanted.

God is our supreme parental figure. He not only loves us and cherishes us, but He also demands obedience. He wants to lead us and guide us through the difficult and pleasant times of life.

Mom and Dad, spend the time to teach your children that independence from parents does not mean independence from their Lord. He is always present and watching.