In life, we sometimes face situations that need our immediate attention and decisions. But we should also think about how our actions will affect the future, especially for our children.
A good example of this is found in the Bible with King Hezekiah, as told in Isaiah chapters 38 and 39.
In Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah is very sick. Prophet Isaiah tells him that he will soon die. In response, Hezekiah prays urgently to God, asking for healing. His prayer is sincere and shows how much he cares about his own life.
But in Isaiah 39, Hezekiah’s reaction is different. Isaiah warns that in the future, Judah will be conquered by Babylon, and Hezekiah’s descendants will be taken away as captives. Instead of showing concern, Hezekiah is relieved that this will not happen in his lifetime. He doesn’t seem to care about what will happen to his children or grandchildren.
This story teaches us a lesson about apathy, which means not caring about important things. Hezekiah was very concerned about his own health but didn’t show the same concern for the future of his family and kingdom. This lack of concern is troubling.
We must not be like Hezekiah in this way. We should care deeply about the world we are creating for our children and grandchildren. The Bible teaches us to be vigilant and to fight for our families. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This shows the importance of guiding our children well. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 also tells us to teach God’s commandments to our children diligently.
We need to care about both the present and the future. We should be just as concerned about what happens to our children and grandchildren as we are about our own lives. By doing this, we can ensure that we leave a godly heritage.
Let’s not be apathetic like Hezekiah. Let’s be vigilant and fight for the future of our families.
