09-14-2026 PART 3: They Were God’s Children First

Section 1

Abraham’s life continued after Sarah’s death, and Genesis 25 records that he married Keturah and had additional children before dying at 175 years old. Dr. Dave addresses the tendency people have to judge Abraham for remarrying, even though Scripture records no rebuke from God for his decision. Abraham was an extraordinary man of faith, but his life was never presented as flawless. He lied concerning Sarah, struggled when his love for Isaac became too elevated, and made other mistakes along the journey. Yet God continued working through him. The larger reminder is that believers should exercise great caution when passing judgment on situations they do not fully understand, especially when God Himself has not given them the authority to make that condemnation.

Section 2

A significant distinction appears when Abraham prepares for his death: he gives gifts to his other sons, but everything he owns ultimately goes to Isaac, the son of promise. Dr. Dave connects that inheritance with an important truth for Christian parents—our children belong to God before they belong to us. Parents receive the privilege and responsibility of loving, teaching, training, correcting, and guiding them, but eventually those children must develop their own relationship with the Lord. Hannah understood this when she recognized Samuel as someone God had entrusted to her. Parents can provide biblical wisdom and faithfully point their children toward Jesus, but they cannot manufacture genuine faith within them. At some point, God must personally become real to that son or daughter.

Section 3

For parents watching an adult child struggle spiritually, Dr. Dave encourages a change in prayer strategy: ask God to give that child a powerful personal encounter with Him. He saw this happen with his eldest son, whom he could not personally direct toward ministry despite years of influence and instruction. Encounters with God accomplished what parental persuasion could not, eventually moving his son from resistance toward helping organize Bible studies. Dr. Dave continues standing in the gap for another son while trusting God to accomplish what only God can do. Parents should certainly continue offering wisdom and encouragement, but they can release the impossible burden of believing they must personally produce the transformation. God knows precisely how to reach His children, regardless of their age or distance from Him. Keep standing in the gap, but remember: God is a better parent to your children than you could ever be.