10/21/2026
This morning our devotional thought is in being not only the children of God, but going one step further and having the heart of a child; or in other words, being childlike. Jesus tells us to be this way directly in scripture when we read Matthew 18:
“and [Jesus] said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3-4 ESV
Scripture doesn't tell us not to grow up, so what exactly does it mean when we are told to be like a child? I think about the movie Peter Pan. We are all familiar with the 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 it also tells us that 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... it requires us to relive a wondrous time in our lives.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-13 ESV
Do you remember the wonder you had as a child in such things as kings and queens; and in 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 trust. Children trust without reservation! He wants us to trust in Him as completely as children trust in their 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. The trust of a child is absolute and without reservation. We all know this and it requires us to be watchful over them; in our sinful world it is what makes them vulnerable, but with God it makes them precious beyond belief.
“"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34 ESV
So, this leads us to the ability to trust in Him 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... He wants our faith in His diligence to be without waver.
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"”
Romans 8:15 ESV
So, God doesn't want us to be like Peter Pan and remain a child forever, no, but He does want us to retain some of our 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 to protect ourselves against the world of sin that surrounds us.
When was the last time that you 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? For us to pray like that would take the faith of a child... do you have it? Are you trusting enough to hand your problems to the Father and have total faith in His ability to handle them? This is the nature of a child that we should have when we come to God in prayer.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me the heart of a child. Help me Lord to reclaim the childlike wonder for you that will break down the walls I have built to protect myself against the fallen world, and that will allow me to give you full access to my heart and soul. Lord, help me to become like a little child again so that I can enter into your kingdom without reservation or doubt. Abba, hear my cry in the night and come to comfort me and give me peace as I hand all my cares to you... knowing full well that I can leave them with you. By reclaiming these behaviors, I seek you Lord, and will praise your name as I see you through the eyes and heart of my childhood. Holy, Holy, Holy, you are my God who watches over me, who sent your Son to save me from sin and death, and a host of angels to strengthen and tend to me as they hover about me while I marvel at them with my innocent and childlike eyes. Today I accept your mercy, grace, and love, without reservation, and love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Hold me close Abba, and feel my face as I bury it in your embrace… with the trust and love of a little child… your child.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen!
Rich Forbes