Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth.
Every child has a divine purpose. They are like arrows that have to be shaped, polished and sharpened to be useful to the Kingdom of God. An arrow that is well shaped and sharpened is extremely effective, both literally and figuratively. A balanced shaft, the body of the arrow, must be shaped straight and consistent in thickness and stiffness.
A child well-groomed in the fear of the Lord and God’s word is like a perfectly polished arrow. Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6). The formative years of a child are crucial in shaping their character. A well-nurtured child grows into a well-disciplined youth. God can use anyone at any age but a committed young man/woman is like a seamlessly fashioned arrow in the hands of a warrior.
Bible scholars believe that Joshua would have been around 70 years when he was ordained and installed as the leader of Israel, however he was “polished for purpose” from his youth. Joshua was trained by Moses to wait at the feet of the Lord before he moved into action. While Moses went up the mountain to talk to God for 40 days and 40 nights, Joshua remained at the foot of the mountain waiting for him (Exodus 24:13-18). Joshua watched the move of God, thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, from a distance (Exodus 19:16). A trained and disciplined young man became a great hero of the Bible.
Joshua could hear the voice of God and be guided by the ways of the Lord as he was a polished arrow in the hands of the Warrior and King.
Our children must know the stories of the Bible before they master linguistics and literature.
Polished for Purpose:
- Shaft: A youth who is trained to present their bodies as living sacrifice will grow up to become exemplary leaders.
- Shape: Discipline shapes children into purity, passion and purpose as they mature into youthhood.
- Sharp: Like a sharp arrow a well-groomed youth will strike with precision and purpose.
“The tests and trials we go through polish us into arrows with divine purpose.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, polish me and my family to be used by You. Amen.
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