Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
I think Jesus tells us to become like children because there’s something truly special about them. Children have no fear. Have you ever noticed that? They don’t blink an eye, barely even flinch at things that make adults squirm. Children trust easily. They don’t doubt. They are free from the confines of this world, because they have yet to experience the darkness of this world that moves adults to shelter and shield themselves.
David is a beautiful example of what it’s like to have a “child-like faith.” In 1 Samuel 17, we read about the story of David and Goliath. It is mentioned in this story that Goliath looked at David and disregarded him as inferior, for he was “but a youth” (1 Samuel 17:42)
This depiction of David could mean he was anywhere from, I would say, between 8-19 years old. And though David was but a youth, he had unwavering faith that the Lord would help him conquer Goliath. Rather than succumbing to the same fear that the soldiers had about this 9’9” enemy, David had child-like faith.
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give thee carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
Children have faith like no other. They believe in miraculous, supernatural things, so who is a better person to be astonished by, than Jesus the miracle-worker, Himself?
A few years ago, my brother and sister-in-law took their 2 girls to visit their grandmother (on their mom’s side) for Christmas. When they came back, my family got to see them all for our Christmas gathering. And when they came in, my youngest niece was in love with Jesus! Praise the Lord, hallelujah! It was a glorious Christmas for the Lord (and me). Oh, the amount of prayers I have prayed over my family… This was a beautiful gift.
From that day on, naturally, my bond with my niece has become stronger, because we now bond over our love of the Lord… Well, shortly after I decided to gift her with a children’s Bible. She was so excited, she was dancing with her new Bible. During her dancing, she put the Bible in her lap and raised her hands, continuing to dance. I could see her from the corner of my eye – what a glorious moment for Jesus. But as I turned to her smiling, she instantly pulled her hands down, embarrassed. I was shocked to say the least, but I said, “No. Don’t you be embarrassed about raising your hands like that; don’t be embarrassed about praising Jesus.” And she looked at me and smiled, her smile reaching all the way to her eyes.
If Jesus was alive today, I have no doubt that children would be the first in line to follow Him. Could the same be said about you? Do you have child-like faith? Would you lift your hands in praise to Jesus in a crowded room, if your spirit ever so inclined you to do so? Would you follow Jesus with no questions asked? No doubts, ands, ifs, or buts?
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