Here in this Old Testament example, Manoah inquired of the Lord. Both he and his wife understood from the Angel of the Lord that a son would be born to them, and he would be a very special child. Every child is special in God’s eyes, and it is essential for parents to inquire of the Lord how to train their children. When we are young, we often are self-confident and slow to accept advice, and those who are quick to give advice are not always wise in their counsel or in the manner in which they give it. One thing is certain: the counsel that God gives is gentle and loving, not abrasive, yet very effective and trustworthy. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6).

In training children, as in most everything, we are strongly influenced by the culture in which we live. What advice can be given that is reliable? The Bible, God’s Word, bridges all cultures and is a dependable guide. The great danger for Christian parents is to go along with the tide. There are many conflicting voices, each demanding attention, but the still, small voice is often not heard. The apostle Paul warned, “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).

None of us would say that we have achieved God’s high standard, but His standard does not change. The benchmark, His point of reference, is Christ, and He changes not! This is the daily challenge we face: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:12).