A Child’s God-given Defenses

So, what or who constitutes the defense system GOD has put in place for children? Let’s look to scripture. There we see that Biblical defense, provision, rescue, and strength giving is provided by Abba, Father.  As children of GOD we pray, “Our Father, who is in heaven…” and trust in Him to protect, provide for, teach and guide us. David calls the Father “my Rock”, “my strong tower”, “my salvation” and speaks of being hidden in the “shadow of His wings.” David proclaims about his heavenly Father, “He set my feet on a rock and gives me a firm place to stand,” in Psalm 40:2.

GOD in his wisdom created the family and placed at its head an earthly father whose role as defender, provider, teacher and friend were meant to reflect those same qualities found in our heavenly Father.

“For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. (Proverbs 4:3-4, emphasis added)

Does GOD’s design work?  Many of you who suffered under disengaged or abusive fathers would say no.  But that kind of father was not GOD’s design at all.  The fact is that when a child lives in the presence of a godly father, one who is committed to modeling a Christ centered life, one who is being equipped by God’s Word, one who is actively engaged in teaching the truth within the context of a loving and safe relationship, he or she is at nearly zero risk for things like drug or alcohol use, violence, and suicide.  The power of a committed, equipped and lovingly engaged Father, living out his faith before his children, is not to be underestimated.

So then, if you are planning an attack with the goal of creating chaos…

(The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;(John 10:10a)

…then you would surely want to eliminate or otherwise neutralize this very powerful defensive mechanism we call the godly father. Removing him from families, from communities and from the church would be a critical first phase in any well-planned attack on those institutions and the children in general.

How does this occur?  Continued…