Childlessness

From an Africa Study Bible article titled “Childlessness”:

In Africa, childlessness is considered to be a serious problem. Families often expect to hear the “good news” soon after the wedding. Instead of social security or retirement benefits, children provide security in old age. Childless women in some contexts are blamed for breaking taboos or are accused as witches and mistreated. 

Hannah, Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel all served the Lord faithfully, as did their husbands. But they experienced infertility. We should avoid judgemental attitudes such as, “It is because of their sin that they are without children.” We don’t always understand our Lord’s decisions. Brothers and sisters in Christ should love and encourage a childless couple in their pain. 

Christians who want children should pray, as both Hannah and Isaac did. Wives are under immense pressure, so husbands should handle the situation with gentle care like Elkanah did. After more than ten years of marriage, an African couple did not have any children. The husband’s family suggested that he take another wife. He refused, telling his relatives that children are a gift from God and that he had no intention of abandoning his beloved. After seventeen years together, God granted them a child. We should not dishonour God in an attempt to have children. Our God is sovereign. God can choose when and to whom he gives the gift of children. 

Medical procedures may help to treat infertility. Adoption can also give hope to parents and children, and fulfil God’s command to “care for orphans” (James 1:27). John and his wife struggled greatly with their childlessness. When their country went through Ebola, they invited children orphaned by Ebola into their home and provided for them as their own children, turning their pain into love. Other childless couples have been called to serve in the church, travelling more easily to areas where people have not heard the gospel. If you are childless, ask God how you can use this to bring glory to his name.

Today: 

If you are trying to have children, remember God loves you. Share this devotional with your spouse and pray together. God heard the cries of many childless people in the Bible. If God has given you children, thank God for his gifts. Take time today to pray for anyone you know who is struggling with childlessness and perhaps call or send a note of encouragement.