Note from Randy: Acts 17:24-27 says, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth....From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him...”

God has a perfect time and place for all of us. He knows and has planned our circumstances, and while human choice is taken into account, God is not bound by the decisions of people. He makes His own calls, and He truly does work all things together for good for His people (Romans 8:28).

When it comes to His children, God has determined the “times set for them” and “the exact [not just general, but exact] places they should live.” So the One in control of the universe has His time and place for all of us. Knowing the God of providence is sovereign, and is not taken by surprise by anything, should help us walk by faith.

As God raised up Esther for just such a time as hers (Esther 4:14), I’m convinced He’s raised us and our children and grandchildren up for this time, to be a witness for Christ and to bring the Good News of great joy to those around the world.

I hope these words from Alex Cravens, a dad and youth pastor from Russellville, Arkansas, encourage you as a parent or grandparent. May we be faithful to rise to the challenge of these times and point the next generation to Jesus. 

Don’t Feel Sorry for or Fear for Your Kids; Raise Them up to Walk in Faith

Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be.

God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they’re in. Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident.

Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God.

Train them up in the authority of His Word.

Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control.

Empower them to know they can change the world.

Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan.

He knew Daniel could handle the lions’ den.
He knew David could handle Goliath.
He knew Esther could handle Haman.
He knew Peter could handle persecution.
He knows that your child can handle whatever challenge they face in their life. He created them specifically for it!

Don’t be scared for your children, but be honored that God chose you to parent the generation that is facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime. Rise up to the challenge.

Raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers, and Peters!

God isn’t scratching His head wondering what He’s going to do with this mess of a world.

He has an army He’s raising up to drive back the darkness and make Him known all over the earth.

Don’t let your fear steal the greatness God placed in them. I know it’s hard to imagine them as anything besides our sweet little babies, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them, but they were born for such a time as this.

Alex is a husband and the dad of two little boys, and has been a youth pastor for six years. This article is used with his permission.