Scripture:
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6 KJV)
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)
Devotion:
The hearts of parents for their children have to do with their deep dedication toward the well-being of their children. How much attention, time and interest they really show towards them. Or are their hearts’ desire and focus directed more toward their work and careers. Absentee dads and mums may return home after work but their hearts are still in the “office”. Children feel neglected and uncared for. Parents may compensate by merely giving them material stuff, like new iPads, Nike shoes etc. Anything except themselves personally.
This causes breakdown in the intimacy and closeness of the relationship between parents and children that will translate into more serious consequences down the road for society and the community at large. Hurt and unloved children bring their resentment and bitterness into their world outside their homes.
Children also need to return to loving obedience and submission to their parents, as reflected in Luke 1:7. Failures and shortcomings of parents are never good enough excuses or reasons to justify rebellion in their hearts. Children also need to return to a right relationship with their parents renouncing rebellion in their hearts. There is a very grave need for hearts of parents and children to be reconciled.
The Good News is that Scriptures has promised a move of the Holy Spirit in the last days that will bring healing, reconciliation and restoration in families. The same Spirit that worked through Elijah that brought an entire nation back to the Lord will empower the servants of God to reach out to families, doing a deep work of transformation in their hearts. Let’s all pray that this will be our shared experience in COR. That we will witness many testimonies of healing, restoration and reconciliation in our homes.
Reflection:
(1) In what areas you feel the need for healing and reconciliation in your family?
(2) Is there a need for repentance and the seeking of forgiveness from the dear ones you have hurt?
(3) Is there a need to repent of the rebellion you have harbored in your heart toward your parents?
Prayer:
Let’s pray for the turning of hearts in our homes: parents to children and children to parents.
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