Untiring Effort to Curb Rebellion

King David was once called by God "a man after my own heart". David had so many good qualities. He was a man of high integrity, loved the truth, was unswayed by wealth and power, and championed the cause of the poor and underprivileged.

And yet, David did not command his household after him as Abraham had done. He favoured his sons and did not reign them in. He did not act decisively when Amnon raped his half-sister. In fact David did nothing about it, so that Absalom (Tamar's full brother) felt compelled to take justice into his own hands.

David vacillated in his treatment toward the murderous, manipulative Absalom. David allowed Absalom's rebellious heart to thrive without correction. Then one day Absalom drove David from his throne in Jerusalem in open rebellion. Even then, David failed to see that he had allowed evil to reign in the heart of his son. Rather than deal decisively with him he slunk away in the night.

Our children are born with rebellion in their hearts. Unless we take them continually in prayer to Jesus for His protection and leading in their lives, our children will continue to be preyed upon by the enemy of our souls.

We need to teach them to humble their hearts and let Jesus rule in them through acts of kindness and love otherwise their selfish natures will control them and like Absalom, they will rebel against the very ones who love them most.

This requires an unceasing effort on the part of parents through prayer, entreaty, and correction. But our diligent, untiring efforts for our children when seen from the perspective of heaven will seem well worth it, though it may be difficult now.