To many of us who are parents to the youth in our land, those youth who are still in the redeemable, recoverable zone, here is the question:

• where are your steps leading?
• What story is your life telling,

particularly since as they grow they are less apt to listen what you say! They more likely will imitate the examples of how you live! Of the many examples listed throughout the scriptures let’s take two for illustration.

Contrast the lives of Abram and Lot his nephew in Genesis 13:10-13 (NLT, AMPC). Even though they shared the same family and had the same opportunities in life, when it came to raising their children, one raised wheat (Gen. 18:18-19); the other raised tares (Gen. 19:12-16,30-38)!

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 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 18:18-19

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord…..And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day. Genesis 19:12-18,30-38

These latter verses are worthy of close study, regarding the lessons your total lifestyle imparts on your children! As fathers or parents where have you pitched your tent! In the lush plains of great business or jobs that hold the promise of Egypt (Gen. 13:10,11), forgetting the dangers of lost fellowship (Heb. 10:25,26) and total loss of your family (Gen. 19:14, 26)?
 
The books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles are replete with similar examples of the legacy transferred from parents (fathers) to children by their kings. King David lost his moral authority over his family with the “secret” affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12, note particularly verses 7-15 AMPC and NIV). Verse 11 spelt out what would happen, and indeed it happened—Amnon raped Tamar his sister (2 Sam. 13:14,15) and Solomon’s wives ultimately turned his heart away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:1-11).
 
Oh, Nigeria a land of plenty whose youth are turned aside, parents consider what you have populated the land with and repent, perhaps the Lord will look down with mercy and forgive and heal our land starting with our children that His word in Psalm 144:11-15 may come to pass. Never too late!
Shalom


Pastor Afolabi Oladele