A great responsibility rests on the shoulders of fathers. They represent God to their children. Fathers have a vital role in bringing protection and stability to the home, and to a child''s life. The Bible speaks of the duties of fathers. "For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart, And whose spirit was not faithful to God." Ps 78:5-8.
It has become a fast growing trend in the US to have fatherless homes. Just because there is a man living in the home does not mean that family has a father. A father is the man who nurtures and cares for his children. In this generation, the last generation before the coming of the Lord, we are seeing more homes without a father than those who have them.
In 2016 there were 31% or 1 in 3, more than 20 million US children, living in a home without the physical presence of a father. Fatherless is at epidemic proportions in our country. It is now a national emergency and has become a serious social sickness. It is contributing to children slipping into many areas that affect our nation negatively. Fatherless has taken a great toll on many areas of great concern with our youth.
The US Dept of Health/Census stated "63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. About 90% of the homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. Children from fatherless homes show 85% behavior disorders. Behavior units are filled across our nation, and there are extensive waiting lists for treatment of children who have behavior disorders. High school dropouts are running 71% from fatherless homes. Youths in prison are running 20 times the average at 85% coming from a fatherless home. There is a 90% rate of adolescent repeat arsonists who are fatherless.
This happening is no surprize to God. He speaks about this in the book of Malachi. This is one of the signs of what the end times will be like. Children and fathers will be estranged; their hearts will be turned away from each other. It is a sign of the times before the coming of the Lord. Never before in history have we had so many families that are a single parent, and children estranged from their fathers. In the book of Malachi we find the answer to this problem. God will solve it before the coming of day of the Lord. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Mal 4:5,6.
It is confirmed in Luke 1:17, " And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." How appreciate! We now stand in the days of great need for this miracle to happen.
Some father''s hearts have turned from their children by ignoring them. Some have been abusive with disapproval or criticism. Some have given their children continual unkindness; letting them know that everything they do is wrong. Some have physically or sexually abused their children. Others have forgotten their children while seeking their own pursuits.
Children have turned their hearts from their fathers and become rebellious and disobedient. Some have disrespect, are cocky and independent, thinking they know everything. Some have been bitten with the bug of materialism and desire more than their father can ever give them. Some have purely neglected faithful parents who brought them up.
Fathers, this is the time to prepare for your heart to be turned to your child. Come before the Lord with a repentant heart. Ask God to see your child through His eyes. Give them priority in your life. Be kind with your words, deeds, and thoughts towards your children. "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." Col 3:21. Don''t criticize them, but look for the good in them. "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Eph 6:4 "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one''s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court." Ps127:3-5. God is forgiving and understanding. He answers fathers'' prayers in a special way, and gives He them wisdom so they can be the man their family needs.
Children this is the time to turn your eyes towards your father. "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Prov 23:22. Don''t let rebellion stay in your heart. Look for ways to obey your father. And don''t neglect to care for your father when he is old. God will bless you. "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him." Prov 23:24
There is no role in our country that suffers greater neglect than that of the father. God has given men the privilege of representing Him as Father to his children. It is a huge responsibility that every father is able to fulfill with God''s help. Many fatherless families find themselves in difficult circumstances, but this is the time to look up to Jesus who will intervene in this situation. When we see the hearts of fathers being turned to their children, and the hearts of children being turned to their fathers we will know the day of the Lord is at hand. There will be a great spiritual move that will accompany the spirit of Elijah the prophet coming to bring this healing. It will sweep over the hearts of the fathers and their children turning them to each other. It is close. - :