Wednesday, 8/19/20 – Pressing on… “Child’s play…”

Child’s play…

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matt. 19:14).

On this an unknown author wrote “He [Jesus] was tired of eating with the adults. He wanted to sit with the girls and boys and throw cake, pop balloons and laugh until His sides hurt.” Our Lord, the Lord of we who believe, we so-called ‘mature,’ adults, said of children, “…the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

“It’s a scary thing to think the Kingdom of God belongs to kids,” this unnamed writer continues. “Perhaps what He really meant was that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who seek adventure, love smelly feet and long to run through the halls of the King’s castle.” *

Yet Jesus pointed to the children in the crowd as an example of how we must all approach Him, in the humility and simplicity of children.

“Children understand faith better than we do,” said Pastor Andrew this past Sunday. God’s promises are certain, and, like a child, it’s okay to plead with Him when we pray, to whine… “But You promised!” This sort of believing persistence gets results with God. It shows Him our earnestness and it shows Him our faith.

The equation is simple, said Pastor Andrew: God said It. I believe it. That settles it. This same triplet was spoken to me by a counselor over 50 years ago when I stepped forward to make public proclamation of my faith in Christ as my Saviour and Lord.

But we can’t whine where no promise has been given. We cannot beg for unending helpings of more dessert, or for next year’s Christmas presents right NOW. Like good parents God will not act contrary to His own best purposes for us — purposes which may be hidden from us at the time. (The good parent still takes the child for the flu shot despite past promises to keep the child from harm.)

But where lack of faith is the barrier, childlike trust is the answer. The Word of God will build that faith; we must soak our souls in it daily. Do that…. and bring your rubber ducky!

Press on…

* Writing sample, Christian Devotions Writing Guidelines, July 11, 2020

To hear Pastor Andrew’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.