Feb. 11
ARE THE CHILDREN IN?
"I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring" Isa. 44:3
Our dear children have not the Spirit of God by nature, as we
plainly see. We see much in them which makes us fear as to their
future, and this drives us to agonizing prayer. When a son becomes
specially perverse, we cry with Abraham, "Oh, that Ishmael might live
before thee!" We would sooner see our daughters Hannahs than
empresses. This verse should greatly encourage us. It follows upon the
words, "Fear not, O Jacob, my servant," and it may well banish our
fears.
The Lord will give His Spirit; will give it plentifully, pouring it
out; will give it effectually, so that it shall be a real and eternal
blessing. Under this divine outpouring our children shall come
forward, and "one shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call
himself by the name of Jacob."
This is one of those promises concerning which the Lord will be
inquired of. Should we not, at set times, in a distinct manner, pray
for our offspring? We cannot give them new hearts, but the Holy Spirit
can; and He is easily to be entreated of. The great Father takes
pleasure in the prayers of fathers and mothers. Have we any dear ones
outside of the ark? Let us not rest till they are shut in with us by
the Lord's own hand.