Text: 2 Samuel 14:22-24
Memory verse:
”While your servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” Then the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you yourself have decided it.”“
I Kings 20:40 NKJV
I believe that home management requires greater leadership skills and spiritual understanding than being in charge of a mega church. That’s why the scripture clearly states that successful home management must be a condition for leading the church of God (1 Tim 3:4-5). Let’s consider another factor that can provoke a child to wrath.
A child who is suffering from parental neglect will most likely rebel against his parent’s rule. This happens when parents fail to provide for the needs of their children, especially when it’s not out of lack (I Tim 5:8).
Parents misplace their priorities when they spend their time and resources on less important things at the detriment of their families’ needs. For example, some parents will prefer to spend on socials and fashion than paying the school fees of their children; meeting their academic needs, food needs or their basic needs. Also, many children are crying for attention and love because their parents are never available. Parents who neglect their children to seek after other things may get what they are seeking but eventually lose their children. Most often, it becomes too late, as they later attempt to spend all that they have gotten, be it money or position, to get back the children they have lost.
According to our text, after two years of Amnon’s rape of his half-sister, Tamar, David did not act until Absalom took laws into his hand and killed Amnon. He heard of it, got angry but did nothing. ”But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.“ (II Sam 13:21). Thereafter, Absalom fled to Geshur and stayed there for three years. David didn’t do anything about it until Joab suggested that Absalom be brought back to Jerusalem. Even after he returned, David didn’t relate with him for two years. What a parental neglect! Absalom became fed up and that triggered his plan to rebel against his father’s reign.
Parental neglect is an open invitation to the devil into the lives of children. Ephesians 4:27 says we should give no place to the devil while 2 Corinthians 2:11 says we should not be ignorant of the schemes of the devil lest it take advantage of us. When Adam was busy, the serpent came to deceive Eve. When you are busy here and there at the detriment of your family, it will lead to grave consequences.
Prayer points
1. Father, please help parents who have neglected their children to reorganize their priorities in Jesus’ name.
2. Father of fathers, please, heal the hearts of every child suffering from parental neglect and minister your love to them in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. Godly parents do not neglect their family needs at the expense of any other needs.
2. If you can manage your children and family well, then you can lead the church.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng