embrace
“Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”
Psalm 8: 1-6 NIV
To become like a child, one must do what children do — ask for help, think highly of others, express awe + wonder & submit to their Father's authority.
There are many ways in which God is worthy of our praise. One of the ways that have struck my heart as of late can be seen here in Psalm 8 as David proclaims, “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies.” It’s a marvelous thing with God that he accomplishes His will through what some would deem as the weakest voices on this earth.. i.e. children.
In Matthew 18:3-4 Jesus says “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” How wild and upside down is that? You see friends, God’s people are frequently called “children of God” (1Jn 3:1) Christians are affectionally referred to as “dear children” and “dearly loved children.” (Eph 5:1; 1Jn2:1) and it’s a counterintuitive thread woven throughout the New Testament and a Christian's life that we embrace the choice Jesus himself invites us into and become like little children.
To become like a child then, one must do what children do — ask for help, think highly of others, express awe and wonder and submit to their Father’s authority. After all, God is committed to caring for His children and He is ever mindful of their needs.
God knows that humanity is frail yet He delights to pour out His grace and use the seemingly “weak” vessels to show off His glory and prevail. Surely, this is good news for any of us who have ever felt as a child does: weak, unsure, or afraid. God is happy to use those who are weak and He is doing it all for the glory of His name.
“It is the weak who God uses to shame the strong; it is the children who can enter into His presence; it is the lowly who will be raised up.”
Before you are any other name or label beloved, before you’re a wife, husband, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son, or friend — you are most importantly, first and foremost, a precious child of God & He surely is your faithful Father.
In joy, peace and love,
Riley Rae Baker
additional reading:
Galatians 3:26 / 2 Corinthians 6:18 / Romans 8:14-16 / Luke 18:17 / John 1:13
reflect:
In what areas do you feel most weak, sure, or unafraid? Can you surrender and embrace your role as His child and let Him take care of those needs for you?
centering prayer:
Father, help me become more like Your child. Grant me the faith and trust to seek You as a child does; to ask for help when I feel weak, think highly of others, express awe in Your creation, and submit to Your will for my life. I thank you, God, that it is the lowly that will be raised up which in turn gives You all the glory. Help me with child-like faith trust you as my faithful Father. I love you, Abba. amen.
