October 2, Be Childlike

Today’s reading: Psalms 6-10

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” - Psalm 8:2.

God often confounds the strong not through other strong people, but through those who are least likely. This theme ran through Jesus’ ministry as He taught that you must be like a child to enter into the things of God: “And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 18:3). What does this mean exactly? Children are dependent and trust easily. They are joyful and let their joy overflow to others. Children know how to work at play, their favorite activity. They are open to new things and they are teachable. Paul took this theme and explained it more fully:

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:27b-31).

Where do you need to be more childlike where the things of God are concerned? Where have you become too grown up and sophisticated toward spiritual things? Do you trust your Father like a child, or have you seized control of your life and shut Him out?