"They will sanctify..."

And that last post is the perfect lead in to the nugget I have for today...

I had a great conversation yesterday with one of those trusted advisors who are some years down the road ahead of me. A saint. (Those ladies are good to know. Seek them out!!) She reminded me of the God's promise to His children, as spoken to Jacob. Think of Jacob, and his children. We know that at times, they were a rebellious and spiteful bunch. (As was Jacob, himself. As are we all!) We know that he spent much time anquished over his children. And yet, in Isaiah 29:22-24, we read:

Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob,

"Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale;
But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,
They will sanctify My name;
Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
And will stand in awe of the God of Israel,
And those who err in mind will know the truth,
And those who criticize will accept instruction."

The promise? That our children, too, may be renewed by God's grace. That those who now err and go astray and are wayward (NASB, ESV, NIV), and criticize and murmur and complain (same order) may come to understanding and know the truth, and know the peace that springs from His love and saving work.

So, yes, just as Mr. Ryle exhorts us, we go on, teaching and training and sowing those seeds, ever with the hope that our children, too, will sanctify, keep holy, the name of the Lord.

(now, if only I could find some of that beautiful artwork Mrs. EV is digging up!... :-) )