Abraham, a Good Neighbor in Canaan
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the morals of the people. Parents do not command their household to
keep the way of the Lord. Children, as they make homes of their own,
feel no obligation to teach their children what they themselves have
never been taught. This is why there are so many godless families,
why depravity is so widespread.
A reformation is needed, deep and broad. Parents, ministers, need
to reform; they need God in their households. They must bring His
Word into their families and teach their children kindly and untiringly
how to live in order to please God. The children of such a household
have a foundation that cannot be swept away by the incoming tide of
skepticism.
In many households parents feel they cannot spare a few mo-
ments in thanksgiving to God for the sunshine and showers and for the
guardianship of holy angels. They have no time to offer prayer. They
go forth to labor as the ox or the horse, without one thought of God or
heaven. The Son of God gave His life to ransom them, but they have
little more appreciation of His goodness than beasts that perish.
If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of
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prayer, it is now. Let the father as priest of the household lay upon
the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and
children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love
to tarry.
From every home love should flow out in thoughtful kindness, in
gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where God is worshiped
and truest love reigns. His mercies and blessings descend upon the
suppliants like morning dew.
A well-ordered household is a powerful argument in favor of the
Christian religion. An influence at work in the family affects the
children. The God of Abraham is with them. God speaks to every
faithful parent: “I know him, that he will command his children and
his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to
do justice and judgment.”
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