“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” (Proverbs‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭NIV‬) This idea of a secure fortress is otherwise expressed as trust or a strong confidence. What this verse is not saying is that if we fear the Lord, our kids will always choose what’s right or they will never encounter harm. Instead, if we fear the LORD our children will know where to put their trust and confidence when trouble does come. It’s not a question of whether they will experience trouble. They will. Nahum prophesied about it. Jesus guaranteed it. Paul knew it would happen too. Yet, if we have built a strong foundation of fearing God – that is, to respect and obey Him – it’s as if we’re pointing out children to a fortress they can run to later. Imagine knowing your kids would be walking through dangerous enemy territory, so in advance, you built them a hideout loaded with rations and weapons. As they sprinted from danger, they could dive into this outpost, take shelter and mount their defense. That’s the power of us fearing the LORD today. It can help our children tomorrow.

The purpose of marriage: Reflecting Jesus to the world: You don’t have to spend much time in the Scriptures to know that God never leaves anything to chance. He has a plan and purpose for everything—and that includes our marriages. Whether you’ve been married for decades, making plans for your own wedding, or swiping right on a dating app, understanding God’s purpose for marriage is the key to moving in the right direction.

Comparison: The thief of contentment: In a world where social media makes everyone else’s at-bats seem like a home run, it’s easy to feel like you’re striking out every time you step up to the plate. The weight of comparison can quickly pull you down to some dark places both emotionally and spiritually. What’s more, the patterns you set in your life can have a tremendous impact on the lives of your wife and kids. Thankfully, the Bible gives each of us a game plan for guarding our hearts and minds against unhealthy comparisons—and for embracing the joy that’s found in being content with God’s plans and purposes.

“Did you never go to God for safeguard, driven by outward storms, and there find unexpected fruit?” – John Owen

“With time you can learn where to go for nourishment, where to hide for protection , where to turn for guidance. Just as your earthly house is a place of refuge, so God’s house is a place of peace.” – Max Lucado

“In Jesus Christ on the Cross there is refuge; there is safety; there is shelter; and all the power of sin upon our track cannot reach us when we have taken shelter under the Cross that atones for our sins.” – A.C. Dixon

Build ahead. Let’s give our children the right kind of place where they can run and hide. That’s the refuge God provides us in Christ! It helps me to think about my current trust and faith being a future investment in something my children and grandchildren can benefit from. It makes the daily and weekly struggles, sacrifices and battles seem more worth it. This shelter of faith I’m investing in every day will hopefully be the place future generations find safety. Let’s leave our kids with an inheritance of faith, trust and confidence in the LORD. It’s even better than a rainy day fund, and no recession can erode its value!

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

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