More From Deepika Emmanuel Sagar

March 2, 2020 by Deepika Emmanuel Sagar (Rajasthan, India)

We have all heard of Daniel. He was a young man when he was brought to serve in the king’s palace, and he must have been handsome, quick to understand, had aptitude for every kind of learning (see Dan. 1:4, NIV). Daniel had all of these qualities before he was brought to the palace, so something in his previous years likely made him so.

I think it was Daniel’s parents, who likely inculcated values, that made him a person who was fit to serve the king! The role of parenting can be huge in shaping the skills and strengths of a child. Proverbs 22:6 tells us, “Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.” Shaping a child’s life is an important responsibility.

In the book of Daniel, we can see that Daniel was rooted in his faith on God. For example, in the first chapter, Daniel resolved not to defile himself by eating the royal food. It takes a lot of inner strength to do such a thing at a young age and also in a foreign place and the house of an unknown authority. The strength to do things like that comes when we practice faith. No one can help us grow in our faith better than the Lord who cares and responds to every effort of ours. And when we see our faith bearing fruit, it strengthens us even more.

I believe that as a parent, it’s my role to inculcate Christian values in my child. Later, as he goes on to face the hardships of life, he will be more likely to stick to the values he has been filled with. But I cannot give something that I do not have, so I must develop spiritual strength so that I can pass it on.

Things which are regularly done in a home automatically become a part of a child’s habit. I am sure we have all observed how in families, the habits of the children and parents are often closely related—things like a way of sitting or speaking. Similarly, if we practice our faith in front of our children and encourage them to do so, even in their own “little” situations, it will help them to grow in their spiritual life. Our small efforts can have big results. And if children have that spiritual strength, it will come out in times of temptations and trials.

We can be assured that God will strengthen us and our children so that we will all be able to set faithful examples and win favor through Christ, just as Daniel did.


Please visit my blog: desforgod.wordpress.com. If you like, you can share a comment or “like” the articles as you read them. I have also written a book called, The Power of Silent Hours: A Collection of Devotions, Psalms and Poetry.


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