Psalm 127:4-5 “As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.”
There’s a lot of debate online about what “quiver full” means. Some argue it means large families. Others try to figure out exactly how many arrows an ancient quiver could hold. I know many large families raising their children in “the fear and admonition of the Lord,” and that is a wonderful thing. But even an only child, raised in that same way, still fits the picture.
The real answer, I think, is in the purpose of arrows. What are arrows for? They’re not defensive – they’re offensive weapons. That’s worth repeating: arrows are for offense, not defense. When we raise children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4b WEB), we are preparing and sending arrows into the future – offensive weapons for God’s kingdom.
Picture an ancient battlefield. If you’ve seen movies like Braveheart or The Lord of the Rings, you can imagine it. The arrows go first. They strike from a distance. Then the close combat begins – swords drawn, shields raised. But you’ll never see a warrior swing a gate in battle. Gates are for defense. Arrows, like our children, are for offense. And our sword (and, Lord willing, the swords of our children) is the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
That makes Jesus’ words to Peter even more striking:
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
(Matthew 16:17–18 ESV, emphasis mine)
Gates are defensive. The Church – our children, grandchildren, and future generations—are on the offense. They are the arrows shot forward into God’s future work.
This thought came to me last Sunday as we set up for church in the park. I shared it with someone on the praise team while talking about the importance of arrows. Later that day, we headed out on a short trip – my wife and I, our daughter, her 4-year-old daughter, and her 6-month-old son.
On the drive, our granddaughter asked her mom to play some music. The first song was Praise by Elevation Worship (link below if you’d like to hear it). As I drove, I heard her little 4-year-old voice singing along – every word.
Twenty years from now, I may well be with the Lord, but she will still be here – an arrow, sent ahead, a weapon for God’s work in her generation. That thought gives me hope!
Here are some of my recent video creations:
Cedar trees stand tall and unshaken through every season, a living picture of God’s work in the life of a believer. Just as He planted and sustains the cedars of Lebanon, so He plants, nourishes, and protects us. Our strength, our endurance, even our flourishing in hard times, is not from ourselves but from Him. This short reflection reminds us that everything in our lives – from beginning to end – rests in God’s faithful hands.
The Planting of the Lord
We live differently when we remember the cross. Forgiveness frees us, gratitude grounds us, and love overflows from us. Love Lived Out is a short reflection on what it means to respond to Christ’s sacrifice — not only with joy in our hearts, but with love in action. Set to the soft strains of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and the quiet beauty of sunrise at the cross, it’s an invitation to pause and let grace shape your day.
Love Lived Out
When life feels fragile, it’s easy to forget just how steady God’s love really is. Scripture tells us His mercy never runs dry, and we can see evidence of it everywhere – in the healing of our wounds, the forgiveness of our sins, and the daily grace that sustains us. Like a flower that unfolds in the light, His steadfast love continues to bloom in our lives, no matter the season.
Forever and Ever
This video, Ascribe All Glory to God, invites us to humility, worship, and gratitude. Through Scripture and reflection, it reminds us that life is not about our strength or accomplishments, but about Christ in us. As Paul writes, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). May we daily live in that truth, giving Him the honor His name deserves.
Ascribe All Glory to God
Every gift, every victory, every moment of strength comes from Him. This video is a call to humility and worship, reminding us that all glory belongs to God alone.
I didn’t forget, here is the song that my beautiful granddaughter was singing:
Steven Stoops -- TUCOR Five One Seven Productions 
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