Read Psalm 106
The glow of a new expectant mother. The tender moment of holding your child for the first time. The pride you feel as you show off the pictures to anyone who will look. And then your kid hits the "terrible two's". You survive that only to have adolescence hit, which is like the "terrible two's" on steroids. And you feel awful for thinking it, but at some point, you look at your spouse and say, "Why again did we have kids?"
My wife and I have six kids. Four of them are adult age, which means we like them again. Our last two are eleven and fourteen. We've uttered that question a time or two over the years. And of course, we wouldn't do it over if we could. We love having a large family and the good has outweighed those exasperating moments over the years.
It's in those moments, when your son throws the baseball through the neighbors window, when your toddler draws their "artwork" on your newly painted walls, when things are growing out of their disgusting messy bedrooms, you remember... they are just kids. It's not an excuse for poor behavior, but you remember kids are going to be kids. And so we respond with firm but loving guidance.
In Psalm 106, the psalmist recounts the different ways the nation of Israel rebelled against God as He was leading them out of Egypt to the Promise Land. Verse 43 sums it up well: "Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity."
At first glance, it seems like a depressing psalm. Until you read the next two verses: "Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love."
Aren't you thankful the Heavenly Father didn't think, "Why again did I have 'kids'?" God was faithful in His covenant with Israel, and He's faithful in His new covenant with those who place their faith in Christ. Because of His steadfast love (v. 45), He remembers His commitment to His kids. Aren't you a thankful for a father like that?
In what ways have you been struggling to be faithful to the Father?
How can Psalm 106:43-45 be a source of encouragement? Any other verses that encourage you?
Prayer for the day: "Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your steadfast love. Thank you for not giving up on me. Reveal to me the areas I need to confess. Help me soak in the immensity of your love today. In Jesus' name, amen."