Standing on the Promises: A Handbook of Biblical Childrearing

by Douglas Wilson

the heart of covenant-keeping is promise-believing

promise-believing, or faith, without works is dead. Nowhere is this more important to understand than in the arduous task of bringing up our children in the Lord. To keep us from being overwhelmed by our responsibilities as parents, we must turn first to the promises of God that apply to us as parents. It is a tragedy of monumental proportions that most modern Christian parents are not aware of the wonderful promises that God has made in His Word on the subject of child-rearing. But as we come to understand these promises, we will then rest in them, and that evangelical rest will result in godly, trusting, faithful parental work.

Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Deut. 7:9) This passage is just a few chapters after the Ten Commandments and clearly echoes the language of the Decalogue. But two additional and important features should be noted as well. First, it spells out God’s intention of blessing to a thousand generations. Secondly, it says that this is the result of a faithful God keeping covenant with families.