What is the most important gift you can give your child? Money? No, currency is easily devalued and easier spent. Good looks? No, these fade as the flower in time. Ok, is it faith? Nope again, faith is a gift from God (Romans 12:3). How about Jesus? Wrong again, you can teach children about our Savior, but ultimately acceptance of Christ is their decision. The answer is reverence. Our most treasured legacy is reverence of the triune God because it is modeled, not made.

Some may be dry in the mouth at the word reverence. Our notion of reverence creates many boring, ritualistic images that leave children and adults alike snoozing in church pews. Jesus was condemning of such manmade revering, which burdens believers and perverts our relationship with God (see Mark 7:9-13, John 2:13-17).

Where do we find correct homage since ours is wrong? As ALWAYS God's way is best for us and will bring Him greatest honor. Moreover, we find His way through Jesus in the pages of the Bible. In Isaiah 11:3 it says, "His delight was in the fear of the Lord," and in Isaiah 33:6 "the fear of the Lord is His treasure." Jesus indeed found revering the Father delightful and precious while living in the flesh, for it was his reverent relationship that carried Him through.

What is "the fear of the Lord?" Fear in Hebrew has many applications, but when used in this context it always refers to reverential fear, not terror. Per Webster's it means to adore, worship, honor, and respect. Christ's revere embodied these words. He did NOTHING unless it was by God's Word. He respected God's knowledge and counsel above ANYONE'S. Why? He knew Yahweh, the self-existent God of the Universe, no god before, beside, or after Him. Also, He knew the breath of life was God's (see Isaiah, the whole book). He further knew that God commanded this type of relationship throughout scripture (see Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 11:13, 13:4, Judges 10:13). When you know "The Beginning and The End" -- to rely on or honor any other source is stupidity.

As Christian parents, the crux of our teachings hangs on this reverence. It is the key to our children's successful walk with Christ. For instance, the moon always shines because it continually faces the sun; likewise, our children always prevail if they continually focus on the Triune God.

The strength to have this type of reverence though is not found in our children. On the contrary, to be truly reverent they must accept dependence upon Him. It is not about them reaching out to Christ, hoping their actions are acceptable. It is He reaching to them saying "I have chosen you despite your rebellion. Accept your need for salvation, accept my son, and I'll give you what you need, I'll show you the way, I'll heal your hurts." He is the potter; we are the clay.

Further, teach your children about the many assurances throughout scripture for those who have "the fear of the Lord." They will have increase of days, protection from enemies, removal of terror, understanding of God, God's wisdom and counsel, become a doer of the Word, promises not to be forsaken or failed by God, receive a servant's heart, assurance of God's presence, His angels' protection, a life strengthened by God, His face upon them, His mercy on them, hatred of evil, a strong confidence, a fountain of life, escape from death's snares, desire total dependence on God, a life better than riches, courage to leave evil and protection from it, a satisfied life, God's terror on their enemies, and honorable living.

Reverence is not complicated. It starts with the desire to know our available God (Isaiah 43:10). It was reverence -- the realization of who God is and whom we aren't -- that freed Christ to serve Him. Remember, this knowledge was not a burden it was His delight and treasure. Let us teach our children to delight and treasure Him. If not, we are raising white-washed sepulchres, who will delight in legalism instead of freedom in Christ. The little things of life will trip them because they don't focus on Him; the big things in life will crush them because they can't endure pain.