“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5
Have you ever thought about what God truly prioritizes above everything else? What is most precious to him? What does he value and esteem and hold in the highest regard?
Above all else, God prioritizes life - human life - and life abundant. If I can’t convince you, allow Jesus to possibly do so:
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10!
1,000 References To Life Are Found In Scripture!
The evidence supporting the above stated is insurmountably clear in Scripture as close to 1,000 references to some variation of the word “life” exist in the Bible.
Specifically in Psalm 127, God brings our attention to the lives of children. And there seems to almost be a sense of urgency in these three verses that causes us to be stirred in our hearts. The Psalmist uses the term “Behold” which in Hebrew means to “wake up, listen, and pay attention.”
Why does the Psalmist use this term? Because something very important is about to be said.
Our attention is drawn to the importance and value of children’s lives. Not only does God value human lives in general, but more specifically he really values the lives of children.
Psalm 139 describes the meticulous creative process that God takes in forming human life, specifically babies:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16
So How Does God Really Feel About Children?
If Psalm 139 wasn't enough, let’s get back to Psalm 127 to see how God really feels about children.
Four thoughts jump out initially:
God calls children a gift: “Children are a heritage.”
God takes ownership of children. They are his: “Children are...from the Lord.”
God sees them as extremely valuable: “the fruit of the womb a reward.”
God labels them as “arrows in the hand of a warrior.”
Children's lives are precious enough to be invested in by parents who have been called to rear them and subsequently send them out to the world to fulfill God’s design and purpose for their lives; namely to glorify and enjoy God and to help others see this reality.
God takes ownership of children but He also gives ownership to us.
What a tremendous act of common grace!
God also feels like the more children the better: “Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” Why? Children are a massive blessing! God views them in this way. So should we.
The Gospel Reveals God's Love For Children
Above everything else, God showed his great love for children by giving his one and only child over to death:
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32
Jesus died for our children so that they may become God’s children.
Children were never intended to be sacrificed (aborted for whatever reasons there may be). Jesus became the sacrifice so that so many children could become His children! This is the gospel - the good news.
What We Need To Own
But please hear me for a moment: Our passion for human life should not just extend to the lives of children, both born and unborn. When we limit our zeal merely to this segment of humanity, yet overlook the broken lives around us, we tread the line of hypocrisy.
We’ll make strong pleas for the unborn innocent lives, but at times we’ll turn a blind eye to the downtrodden, broken, and marginalized in our neighborhoods and cities. We’ll protest the unborn - picketing, boycotting, and fighting for the rights of the unborn (yes and amen!!!), but overlook our struggling neighbor, co-worker, or struggling refugee family on the side of the road.
We say we value life but let’s be honest with ourselves: How are we treating the lives of those closest to us?
Every. Single. Life. Matters. At least it does to God. And at minimum we need to self-evaluate.
For us to turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the value of human lives and specifically to children’s lives is to commit a gross sin that deeply saddens the heart of God.
We Choose Life
For all the reasons above and so many more, our family has decided to choose life. We choose life because most profoundly God chose our lives; He chose to save our lives. Therefore, we desire to save lives!
One way our family is diving into the world of saving lives is through an initiative that our church is involved with here in Tampa. There is an organization called New Life Solutions that is in the business of saving babies. They are a ministry that serves women (especially women in crisis situations - namely, unwanted pregnancies), attempting to provide them with help, hope, and healing. In fact, over the past 30 years, New Life Solutions has been a part of saving a staggering 8,000 babies lives!!!
Over the past couple years, our church has partnered with this wonderful organization (with an incredible back story) helping to save as many babies as we can. It is estimated that for $1,500 a baby’s life can be rescued. Our church has set a goal for all of our Bible study groups (there are ten of them) to raise money and each save at least one baby.
There is a fundraising event put on yearly by New Life Solutions the weekend of Mother’s Day called the Walk For Life. Participants seek pledges and then literally walk to save lives. Our family is participating again this year and we want invite you to be a part of the event if you are in or near Tampa. We also are raising money to try and save as many babies as we can. If you are interested in helping us out, click here.
Thanks for your prayers and for your support.