On the way home from soccer practice last week, my 12-year-old son busily jotted his thoughts onto a notepad he had brought with him. When he finished, he handed it to me and said, “This is what I [created].”
He had drawn a basic timeline of God’s creation and had written a brief summary of the gospel message. My son penned, “Christ is crucified, but rose the third day. He paid for our sin. Then Christ ascends to heaven and tells us to be His disciples and that He will be with us till the end of the age. [God] did this so He could have a relationship with us.”
To seek the understanding of people coming from different belief systems, my son added, “Question for [those who deny God as their Creator]. How did you create yourself and why?”
Psalm 8:1-2 states, “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.”
Time and again, when my son (or anyone who has received salvation in Jesus) testifies of God’s strength, my most relentless foes—worry, fear, despair, and hopelessness—are silenced. Doubts that oppose the truth of God’s goodness, fear that opposes the truth that He is our faithful provider (Philippians 4:19), and despair that goes against the limitless hope Christ offers (Romans 15:13) all lose their voice when we place our confidence in God’s strength.
When a child tells of God’s strength and majesty, we should listen and thank God for what the child has grasped by faith and for what God has done. May we, with the young, proclaim, “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” (Psalm 8:9).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 7:36–8:3
More:
Read Matthew 18:1-3 and consider Jesus’ response when He was asked who would be the greatest in heaven.
Next:
How have you been encouraged by a much younger person recently? Why is it vital to praise God when doubts threaten our faith in Him?
Gary Shultz on July 7, 2016 at 6:15 am
Roxanne, what a blessing to you, your son, and to the Lord as your son is able and willing to harness thoughts and facts of God. How God loves young lives lived toward Him, this is no small blessing. The saying in the past was, children should be seen not heard; however, their lives often reflect a much less cluttered view of God and life itself. Unfortunately a lot of energy has been thrust into behavior, not belief, it must be the other way around. I know many young people trained in godly principles who have abandon them for a life lived their way. May this treasure of faith continue in your sons heart, Lord knows we need more godly (young) people. Thanks Roxanne
hsnpoor on July 7, 2016 at 11:16 am
“a lot of energy has been thrust into behavior, not belief”…..Gary, that is such a good word of truth! I work in youth ministry and what a fight we often wage, within the ranks, to avoid that very thing. I know there is a lot of truth in the saying “if you build it (or, maybe “show it” is a better term), they will come”. Roxanne, not sure who is responsible for the photo, but that young man’s countenance is just perfect for your devotion today! Blessings to all today!
crossman61 on July 7, 2016 at 10:56 am
Yes that is a great testimony Roxanne !! we can learn from our youth . Thank you for sharing.
godlove on July 7, 2016 at 1:10 pm
I’m always impressed by the purity of faith displayed by children and the purity and of their belief. I think that is what our Saviour Jesus Christ means when He says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Lord, please, purify and renew my heart that it may once again be like the heart of a little child. Thanks for this nice devotional Roxanne.
Gary Shultz on July 8, 2016 at 6:42 am
Thanks Kim, I was raised a behavior kid, I raised my son’s with too much behavior push. As Jesus nailed the Pharisees, the problem was not behavior, but belief. I’m so glad you work with youth with the correct emphasis on the inside then the outside.