God is Our Source

He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. ²¹ Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it … –2 Kings 20:21, 22

The city of Jericho—not the one destroyed by Joshua—was self-described as a “pleasant” place but their water was bad, thus affecting everything else negatively. When asked to address the problem, Elisha requested some salt and threw it into the “spring” or the source of the water, declaring, “Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” And it was healed from that time forth.

There are several key aspects to this story that are worthy of attention. First, regardless of how rich the soil or topographically beautiful an area is, if the water is bad, it is hard to capitalize on it. This is especially true if the water actually causes sickness, death and miscarriages. Water is foundational to our existence. Similarly, the family is the building block for society. If the family unit is strong, the nation in which they live will be strong. On a personal level, if the family is doing well, while things outside the family might be challenging, the contentment of family overrides all other externals. Conversely, if things are bad at home, it doesn’t matter how good work, finances and health are, life is difficult. It is a wonderful thing when your tent is in peace. (Job 5:24)

Second, the salt represents the persevering power of Jesus Christ. This is why we are called to spread salt (and light) around in the cultures in which we live. While there are many good things in life, only the power and grace of Jesus can bring the healing that many individuals, marriages, families, states and nations are desperately seeking. While I definitely understand so much of the anxiety of new homeschoolers and their need for curriculum and clarification of the homeschooling journey, the source of all our needs is the Lord. This is not to minimize all the other additives but simply to prioritize them after God. (Matthew 6:33)

Third and finally, people seek out many fads and fashions of men that may treat the immediate symptoms but actually feed the disease. Furthermore, many of these short-term reliefs carry heavy long-term consequences. Infomercials often spend more time describing all the possible side effects than it does explaining what the drug actually does cure. Homeschooling in itself is not salvific. It is, however, an important part of a lifestyle adjustment that can give more time and attention to the family unit as well as providing a physical and emotional safety zone that not only encourages academic learning but helps enable our children to become who God made them to be.

As the educational waters in America are becoming increasingly toxic due not only to the possibility of exposure to Covid-19 but also to the increasing promotion all sorts of perverse ideologies by some school districts, parents are taking back the responsibility to disciple their children by keeping them at home. For those who are God-sensitive and want to instill a moral base in their children, we must remember our source as well. It is not in the right curriculum. Neither is it about how many extracurricular activities our children experience. Our source is the same as at Jericho, the power of the Holy Spirit. Fear of the Lord brings knowledge (Proverbs 1:7) and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We do not seek homeschooling first and then attach God on the side to make it Christian; instead, we put Him as the center and the source of all things. Only then can we hope for long-term success.

This month we are crying out to God in prayer and fasting that He would enlighten our eyes to our need of Him in the homeschooling journey. We are asking especially for all those who are new to homeschooling not to see it as simply an alternative model of education during the time of the pandemic, but they would see speaking into the lives of their children as the biblical normative in the 21^st century.

Please join us on the second September 15^th—or on a day that works better for you—as we pray for the following:

1. Pray that we homeschoolers—especially those who are new—will truly understand that we need Christ to be the center of our homeschooling experience and not a peripheral consideration.
   • But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. –Matthew 6:33
   • looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith …-Hebrews 12:2
2. Pray for there to be an increased dependence upon the Father as we lead our children spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically through this present time of uncertainty and into their futures.
   • For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. –Psalms 62:5
   • Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11
3. Pray for those who are making significant lifestyle changes and who are anticipating financial challenges, asking God to provide all their needs and even some of their wants simply because He can.
   • Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, –Eph. 3:20
   • And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. –Phil 4:19
4. Pray for those parents with special needs considerations to find all the practical help they desire as well as the emotional and spiritual encouragement they need.
   • Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” –Matt. 11:28-30
   • … I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.–Is. 43:19 (NKJV)
5. Pray that a real spiritual and familial revival will take place in America even as the nation seeks to redefine God’s plan for the family.
   • And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.–Ezra 9:8 (NKJV)
   • The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness. –Is. 38:19
6. Pray that new homeschoolers will have discernment in what teachers, groups and organizations they follow. They are not created equally. Pray that God will supernaturally introduce ICHE to all homeschoolers who have God-sensitivities.
   • Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. –Proverbs 13:20
   • discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, –Proverbs 2:11
7. Pray that Christian parents will turn to God first when they hit difficult days on their homeschooling journey.
   • I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. –Psalms 57:2
   • Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. –Psalms 119:132
8. Pray that God will give Christian homeschoolers opportunities to witness as they are out and about with their children in their respective communities.
   • but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, – 1 Peter 3:15
   • “The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. –Is. 50:4 (NKJV)
9. Pray as the homeschooling pressures increase and small cracks start to be revealed in our homes, that we homeschoolers will not quit but will respond biblically, knowing that God is bringing us into His image.
   • For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” –Hebrews 12:6
   • I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.–Psalms 32:8
10. Pray that we will learn a whole new level of trust in the ways of the Lord.
    • But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”–Psalms 31:14
    • Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,–Psalms 146:5