10/21/2024
This morning our thought and study is on being not only the children of God, but going one step further and having the heart of a child; or being childlike. Jesus tells us this directly in scripture when he says that unless we are converted and become like little children we won’t enter into heaven. Have we been converted and prepared in this way?
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 KJV
Scripture doesn't tell us not to grow up, so what exactly does it mean when we are told to be like a child? To answer this I think about the movie Peter Pan. We are all familiar with this story of Peter, a child who leads a band of lost children in a magical place called Neverland. Their goal is to never grow up and to continue living as children forever. Unlike Peter the Bible tells us that we should grow up, but much like Peter we should maintain certain attributes of a child.
The characteristics that endear children to God are those that remove the effort involved in growing our faith and trusting in Him. One of those behaviors is that Children believe completely, and they have a depth of faith that is nearly impossible for an adult to achieve... to believe like a child requires us to relive this wondrous time in our lives.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 1:12 KJV
Do you remember the wonder you had in kings and queens; knights and dragons; and the ease at which you accepted these things? Children don't believe a little bit... they believe with all of their heart and it is with that ability that God desires us to approach Him. He doesn't want us to fantasize, but to be able to accept heavenly things completely and without reservation.
Another attribute of a child which God wants us to have is the ability to trust. Children trust without reservation! He wants us to trust in His provision as completely as a child trusts in its parents. Do you remember the time when you trusted in your mother and father for food, clothing, and shelter? For most children these are things that they completely believe their parents will provide. Trust such as that of a child is complete and without reservation. We all know this and it requires us to faithfully provide for them. God provides for us always.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:34 KJV
This leads to one last childlike behavior God would have us exhibit. It is the ability to trust in His protection just as children trust in the protection of their parents. God desires that we not only accept His protection but that we trust in it without any doubt whatsoever... that our faith in His watchful eye will be without waiver. In our sinful world the innocence of children is what makes them vulnerable, and this makes it imperative that we watch over them at all times.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 KJV
So God doesn't want us to be like Peter Pan and remain children forever, but He does want us to retain some of the childlike qualities that will allow us to easily come to Him, and which, when reinstated, will remove the tough shell from us that we have developed while maturing. As we mature in the world we do away with our innocence, and attempt to provide for, and protect, ourselves from the world of sin that surrounds us.
When was the last time that we prayed "Lord, take this problem; it is too hard and I am at the end of my rope", and then actually let him have it completely? To do that would take the faith of a child... do you have it? Are you trusting enough to hand your problem to the Father and have total faith in His ability to solve it? This is the nature of a child we should have when we come to God in prayer. How about praying for His provision, or protection, and remaining 100% confident He would? Let’s begin our prayers today by thanking God for being our Heavenly Father, and the ask Him to transform us and give us back the childlike qualities He desires to see in us.
Prayer:
Father God thank you for being our Heavenly Father, and watching over us like children under your care. Thank you Abba for transforming us from adult minded men and women of the world into heavenly children who believe and trust in you completely. Father, help us to reclaim the childlike wonder for you that will break down the walls we have built to protect ourselves against the world, and give you full access to our hearts and souls. Lord, help us to become like little children again so that we can enter into your kingdom without reservation or doubt. Abba, hear our cry in the night and come to comfort us and give us peace as we hand our cares to you... knowing full well that we can then leave them to you. In these behaviors we seek you Lord, and will praise your name as we see you through the eyes and hearts of our childhood. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our adopted father who watches over us without fail. Holy are you who transforms us and gives us back the characteristics of a child that you value. Loving and Merciful are you Lord for your provision and protection. Forgiving and full of grace are you who sent your Son Jesus Christ to redeem us with His life, death, and resurrection. Hear our prayers day and night Abba, as we pray with the faith and innocence of children. Hear our voices as they rise up in songs of praise and worship without doubt or fear, and with total submission and abandonment of ourselves. Find us worthy in our childlike innocence of eternity with you, and judge us not otherwise. In this way, all glory belongs to you Father, forever, and forevermore.
Amen
Rich Forbes