TODAY’s SCRIPTURE : Matthew 19:13-15 chapters
DEVOTION
In Matthew 18:4-6, Jesus had already taught His disciples about the importance of becoming like little children. Yet, when people brought little children to Jesus in Matthew 19:13-15, the disciples tried to stop them. Perhaps they had forgotten what Jesus had taught them earlier.
But Jesus welcomed the children. He wanted them to come to Him because He loved them. Through this incident, Jesus also reminds us of the kind of a heart we need to approach God a humble, trusting, and receptive heart.
God does not mean that heaven is only for children. Rather, He wants us to have a childlike faith, trusting Him wholeheartedly and depending on Him without pride.
I once heard a beautiful incident about an eight year old boy. He saw his pastor praying for the sick week after week. The little boy took this message seriously. Whenever someone fell and got hurt during games at school, he would immediately go to them and pray, asking for healing in Jesus name.
What a faith!
Do you have such faith?
I was so challenged after hearing about this incident. Look at the heart of the little kid.
The boy did not merely listen to the sermon, he believed what he had heard and put it into practice. He had a receptive heart that was willing to trust God and act on His Word.
Sometimes, as we grow older, we allow our education, knowledge, experience, and sophistication to stand in the way of simple faith. We analyse everything, question everything, and sometimes make complicated what God has called us to trust Him with.
Of course, God wants us to grow in wisdom and understanding. But our knowledge should never make our hearts proud or prevent us from trusting Him wholeheartedly.
Do I have a heart that readily receives God’s Word?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my knowledge, reasoning, and pride to hinder my faith. Give me a humble and receptive heart that treasures Your Word and puts it into practice. Teach me to trust You wholeheartedly, like a little child, and to obey You without hesitation. May my faith be evident not only in what I hear and believe, but also in how I live each day. In Jesus name, amen.