Let the children come to Him

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. One of the greatest things that happened to me was coming to know the Lord and being filled with His Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues from a young age. I don’t believe I was 10 years old at the time. This happened in the church I went to at the time. I think one of the best gifts my parents gave to me was to expose me to Bible-believing churches and to have a Godly home to grow up in. That’s one of the most cherished gifts parents can give to their children – raising them up in the way of the Lord and more importantly to know the Lord and have an intimate relationship with Him. But we must also be seeking and desiring the same, for we cannot ask the children to do one thing while we are leading a different lifestyle.

God is Himself interested in having Godly offspring. Malachi 2v15 (New International Version) says “Has not the one God made you? You belong to Him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.” Luke 18v15-17 (Classic Amplified Version) further relates one of Jesus’ opinions about children: “Now they were also bringing [even] babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they reproved them. But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].”

Indeed, we see God calling and reaching out to Samuel at a young age, and he grew up in favour with God and man (1 Samuel 2v26; 3v4). Of John the Baptist, it was said that “For he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord. And he must drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit even in and from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1v15, Classic Amplified Bible). Of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are told that “There the child became a strong, robust lad, and was known for wisdom beyond his years; and God poured out His blessings on Him” (Luke 2v40, The Living Bible). In fact, at the age of 12, He sat “among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies” (Luke 2v46-47, Classic Amplified Version).

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word this day and for the children You have given to us. We pray that You would help us to raise them in the fear and admonition of God. That You will write Your laws in their hearts and minds, and You will be their God and they will be Your people and they will know You for themselves (Hebrews 8v10-11). May they be full of wisdom, of Your Spirit and grow in favour and grace with God and man. We consecrate them to You to be used for the glory of Your name in Jesus name, amen.