“For 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; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19
God is the author and designer of the family as we can see from Genesis 1:27-28 and 2:18-25. The family is made up of a male (the father) and a female (the mother) through the uniting bond of marriage in order to procreate and to provide a safe haven with which to love, nurture, and teach their children. God uses the design of the family to showcase to the world who He is and what His nature is like. While it is important for families to know and live for Him, it is as important for families to know what God truly sees about them.
God knew Abraham and was proud of him; in Genesis 18:19 God said, "For 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 judgement; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." God testified that Cornelius was known as “a devout man who feared God with all his household [he] gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God,” Acts 10:1-2. The Lord testified about Zacharias and Elizabeth’s family, saying they were “righteous and walked in the ways of God,” Luke 1:6. The Lord also knew the family of the Rechabites and used them as an example of children that obeyed their father; God used their family to rebuke Israel for their disobedience towards Him, Jeremiah 35:1-15.
Contrarily, knew things about some families that He was displeased with including Eli the priest and his sons, because although they “served God” in name they didn’t know or honor God’s ways . . . they were all sinful according to 1 Samuel 2:12, 29. This is a key ingredient for families who walk with the Lord tobe aware of; it is not what we t hink or say we are or what people think or say we are that counts, it is what God says and knows about us that matters. The hard question we need to ask ourselves is, what does God say and know about you and your family? Take time to evaluate your circumstances; would God say your situation is more like Abraham’s or Eli’s?
Let’s begin evaluating with the men: God knew Moses as the “most humble and faithful,” Numbers12:3 and 12:7. God called Caleb “a man that had a different spirit,” Numbers 14:24. God knew Ananias as “a dependable and trusted disciple” one He could send to minister salvation and baptisms of the Holy Spirit to Paul, Acts 9:10-17.
Men, ask yourself, what will God say He knows about you today? Will He say you are a good husband to your wife, a good father to your children? Women, it’s your turn to evaluate yourselves: God knew Deborah as a prophetess, a judge, a wife, and an encourager according to Judges 4:1-9. The widow of Zarephath was known by God as a generous woman with whom He trusted to feed Elijah in a time of famine and despite what little food she herself had, according to 1 Kings 17:1-16.
Women, ask yourselves what God can say He knows about you. Will He say you are a generous woman, a woman who serves Him, her family and nation?
Children what does God say about you? God knew Samuel; He called to Samuel personally and revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh according to 1 Samuel 3:4-14 and 18-21. May God know our children and reveal Himself to them in the mighty name of Jesus.
Young adults, evaluated yourselves: God called David “a man after His heart” and as “one who would fulfill all His will,” according to 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts13:22. Young men, what will God say about you? God knew Mary as a virgin and as one who was highly favored, Luke 1:27-28. Young ladies, what will God say about you?
As members of God’s family, the way we conduct ourselves should be pleasing to God and as His children we should reflect to the world His image. We must hunger to be like Jesus, whom God knew and said thereof, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17 and 17:5.
Brethren, as we celebrate Family month this June, my prayer is that God will know our families like Abraham’s, for good, and not like Eli’s, for evil. If we are falling short of God’s standards and expectations, let us take time pray for His grace to help us and provide opportunity to become pleasing to Him.
I wish you a happy and celebratory Family month!
Pastor Tope Dosumu