Parents sometimes compare their child to a teddy bear, or a princess, or maybe Einstein. But have you ever heard of children compared to arrows, as in Psalm 127? This psalm describes children as providing protection from enemies. That was important in ancient times, and we can see its bene­fits still today.

For example, if outlaws came to steal or wreck your property, a group of defenders could help to protect you. Having a large family could give you strength in numbers. And, as this psalm points out, it’s also important to have defenders in court, in case some accusers try to ruin you even though you are innocent. In that society, having two or more witnesses on your side could uphold your case in the public court and keep you from shame.

This psalm gives us a wake-up call in the way that we raise our children. We must have an ­urgency in training our children to use their talents and gifts to do what is right and to live by the ways of the Lord, who “builds the house” (Psalm 127:1)—and that can refer to our household of family mem-bers as well as to the household of faith (the Lord’s church). We need to pray often for our children, knowing that even while we are sleeping (v. 2) God keeps working in them through his Spirit, honing them for service in his kingdom.

What kind of difference can you make—not only now but also for future generations?

Equip us, Lord, to train up children in the way they should go, for your sake, from one generation to the next. Amen.