The Father’s Quiver

Every bowhunter knows that one’s quiver is a very essential part of their hunting equipment. It is the apparatus that holds the arrows. It is usually connected to the bow, but can be placed on the hunter’s back, backpack, or belt. However, a quiver is useless without some good arrows in it. I wrote in a past devotion that there is nothing more gratifying for a bowhunter than to see his arrow pass through the vitals of a big buck. However, the Bible compares arrows to children and says, “Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them.” For this Father’s Day devotion I would like to offer a little help in getting to know your children better and help you protect them against the dangers of the world. I pray that The Father in Heaven will use this devotion to encourage you to raise your kids to love and to love the Lord in a world that is full of hate.

Psalm 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.


The job of a father is very difficult at times. All fathers should strive in doing their very best in, “bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers also will have great difficulty in protecting his children from the dangers of the world if he does not know what is going on in their hearts. He must seek to learn more about them personally and demonstrate his complete and unconditional love for them. Not a single day goes by where my daughters don’t hear the words “I Love You” from her daddy. I have also learned this from the many years of being a youth minister and now have applied this to fatherhood. Dads who cultivate open, honest communication with their children will have a greater chance in having an “open door” with their kids. Have you ever been shut out to your children’s world? It is a scary place for the parent. This trust and “open door” will allow information to flow from your kids that parents need to be aware of. Their beliefs, fears, secrets, temptations, friendships, and other information that is normally kept private will be openly shared. Well at least most of it any way.

The only real way to know the heart of your child is to spend quality time with them and be completely open and honest with them. Try to plan as many outings such as: diner dates, hunting trips, camping trips, movie nights, etc. Make these outings habitual and show your kids that they are truly special to you. Somewhat like you did with your wife when you were courting her and getting to know her better. I have already started taking my three-year-old daughter Anna Grace on father/daughter dates. These types of outings show that they are individually special and opens the door for you to ask them questions about anything. The information that is shared with you during these outings should be considered as a gift, so try to be grateful and understanding other than being hard and corrective.

Our children are a gift and blessing from God, and are a heritage of God. It is our privilege and our responsibility to do all we can to protect them and raise them in the sight of God.
God Bless and Happy Hunting.

Posted by Mark Newell


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