Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
August 18th 2023

Parent, think about this.

Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel? I Samuel 2:29

Bible Reading: I Samuel 2

Today’s reading reveals the truth about prophet Eli. Although it is undisputable that Hophinis and Phinehas, his children, played a significant role in the downfall of his ministry, however, Eli master-minded his own destruction. First, as a father and a prophet, Eli must have done what was contrary to God’s command that both his biological and spiritual children emulated (I Samuel 2:13). When God sent a messenger to Eli, the first-person God addressed was Eli. God accused him of scorning His sacrifice and offering -a state of disregard, and disrespect for God. No wonder Eli’s children, (and priest’s servant) had the temerity to plunge their three-prolonged fork into the pan of meat meant to be sacrificed unto God. While God didn’t accuse Eli of sexual immorality, He accused him of honouring his children more than Him. I can imagine Eli sharing the bounties with his children, and refused to caution his children when they grew into that act. Let’s not point too many accusing fingers at Eli, right?

As parents, do you honour God? What are you doing that can mislead your children? What habits have you formed overtime that can positively or negatively affect your children? Parents have big influence on their children, so take responsibility to train your children in God’s way. Be watchful of your utterance, the media content you consume, your friends, and what you do because children are watchful and they are likely to emulate their immediate contact persons. Parents, remember to train up your child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Ultimately, continually pray for them and teach them how to pray.

Self-Reflection: Think of one thing that you can do better for your children to emulate.

Daily Confession: Lord help parents across the world to teach their children in the way of the Lord. Deliver children from disobedience and rebellion, and restore as home that have derailed from You in Jesus name.

Intercessory prayer: I pray that my children will be like olive shoots around my table in Jesus name.

Hymn: Open up to your parents, open up.

Open up to your parents, open up.

For you know your parents love you,

They’re the best ones who can help you,

But it’s up to you to come and open up.