“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it[a] will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior." Jeremiah 33:14-16
How wonderful it is to be part of God's family, to claim this lineage, to be called sons and daughters. What hope it gives as we work to raise our families, especially for those of us with parental roots and role models that don't fit the descriptions on greeting cards. Mamas and Papas, you have been given great tools to help you. You have roots that run deep and right to the heart of Christ's righteousness, seek Him and call on Him he will always show you what is just and right. You have the Bible an instruction manual for your lives to be the best role models, an instruction manual for each of your children, a manual for every relationship you have. When you read it, meditate on it, pray it, and memorize it it will prepare and instruct you in any situation. And you have God's amazing grace, which covers you when all all else fails. When you drop the ball personally, goof up with your children, or in any relationship, your Heavenly Father is there to forgive you, pick you up, and carry you if necessary.
We thank you Father for hope by giving us all we need and allowing us to live in safety. Forgive us when we forget our strength comes from the roots we have in you not our earthly ones.
Help us Father to live to honor you and our royal heritage. Help us to do what is right within our own homes and families. Help us throughout the year, not just in this season, to do what is right to everyone we encounter. Thank you for an instruction manual. Guide us in righteousness and to love as Christ loves. In Jesus's name we ask all these things. Amen