Moments Together for Couples 12/29
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
December 29
The Final Words of Obadiah Holmes (Part One) Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.
Obadiah Holmes was a godly man who, with his wife, raised eight children in the 1600s. On December 16, 1675, knowing his end was near, Obadiah sat down to write a final letter to his children. Little did he know that this amazing document would survive for another 10 generations.I recently came across this document and decided to use some excerpts from it here. The words of Psalm 90:12 take on new meaning when you read words like these:
My Dear Children:
A word or two unto you all who are near and dear unto me, and much on my heart as I draw near to my end and am not likely to see you nor speak to you at my departure. Wherefore I am moved to leave these lines for your consideration when I am gone and you shall see me no more.
Above all things in this world let it be your care to seek the Kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness first. Be you thoroughly convinced of that and, by actual transgressions, that you are sinners. Yet, know that such great love as cannot be expressed by man nor angels has the Lord sent and held forth: even his Son, his only Son, to save and deliver you from wrath....
My soul has been in great trouble for you, to see Christ formed in you by a thorough work of the Holy Spirit of the Lord that it may appear you are born again and engrafted in the true vine; so you, being true branches, may bring forth fruit unto God and serve Him in your generation. Wherefore, wait on Him with care and diligence; carefully read the Scriptures and mind well what is therein contained, for they testify of Him.
Obadiah Holmes started his letter with the most important issue in life: repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. He knew that if his descendants missed Christ then they would miss life.
Prayer:
That God would use you to lead your children to a saving knowledge of Christ and a closer walk with Him.
Discuss: How will your descendants know what you lived for? How can you communicate the need for generations that follow you to repent and come to faith in Jesus Christ?