The Blessing of Children by David Jeremiah

Wednesday, December 7

The Blessing of Children 

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of [children]. 
Psalm 127:5a 

Recommended Reading Psalm 127:1-5

In the United States, it takes 2.1 births per woman for each generation to replace itself (keep the population stable apart from immigration). As of 2012, the average American woman was birthing only 1.88 children—a record low. This “below replacement rate” birth rate is also happening in other major nations. While many reasons can be cited for declining birth rates, this phenomenon begs an important biblical question: Why are people opting out of something God says is a blessing?

In post-Christian nations like America, the lack of biblical understanding keeps many adults from having children. But from a biblical perspective we need to remember, “children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NASB). Who would refuse a gift? Who would turn down a reward? Rather than an expense and a liability, the Bible pictures children as an investment and an asset (Psalm 127:5). Children (Hebrew banim) are the builders (Hebrew bonim) of the future (Psalm 127:1, 3).

If you have children, count your blessings! If you don’t, enjoy the children in your life-circle as the blessing they are.