# 312 A Kindness From God

The Book of Genesis 

Day 312

Ge 33:5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

I’ve always loved Jacob’s response to Esau’s question about his family! “These are the children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Jacob understands something that our culture, and yes, even the church of today does not comprehend. Children are a gift from God!

Now I know, I’ve gone down this road many times before, but that’s because the Bible consistently takes this road as well. Children are a gift from God! They are not our property, not to be disposed of as we see fit. They are to be nurtured, cherished, even…..desired. The term “graciously given,” here is the idea of a Superior Being, stooping down to an inferior being and bestowing an act of kindness. 

Children are an act of kindness from God Almighty!

What cheek then! What audacity! What foolish pride then, when we tell God we are not interested in His “little acts of kindness.” Friends, we need an attitude adjustment in this matter! Let these words from Scripture penetrate your soul today! “The children whom God has graciously given.” 

Imagine what kind of impact that attitude would have on children in our society today!  What would that attitude do to the number of abortions in our land (over 60 million since 1973 and counting) How would this attitude affect the number of battered children? Would children ever have to live in fear of being sexually molested again?

It all starts with us folks. Let the church lead the way in this matter. The world is not going to figure this out by themselves. We must take the lead! We must view children as an act of kindness from God and demonstrate that attitude in our own lives.

The world is waiting…..God is waiting. It’s time for us to allow the Word of God to reshape our thinking about children. God has some radical things to say about the size of our families and the treatment of family members, but hey, don’t forget, we are to be a radical people!

2Co 6:17a Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.”  

The next time you see a child, (your own or others) pause and reflect on the truth that they are a kindness from God, something graciously given by God!