By Jerry D. Ousley
Mark wrote in his gospel, “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16).
A few weeks ago, we shared an article on this same subject entitled, “The Innocent Ones.” Today, I feel it is important to revisit this topic from a slightly different angle.
God often used young people who, in their day, despite that they were in their teens or early adulthood, were still considered children. We are a little like that too, aren’t we?
What I mean is that we have a hard time accepting that our children are adults (that is, if you are old enough that your children are now grown). In our eyes, even though we are looking at a grown man or woman, they will always be our little boy, or little girl. It’s hard letting go.
God used Joseph. A boy about 17 years of age, abducted by his brothers and sold as a slave to traders going to Egypt. He began as a slave boy but before God was through, he was the second ruler of the land.
We see Samson; though a rebellious son, was called to be a judge over the people of Israel from birth.
Then there was Samuel, who was dedicated to God and given to Eli, high priest over the tabernacle, for service to God.
David, whom God called “a man after His own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22), was raised up to slay Goliath as a teenage boy. Jesus Himself was only 12 years old when He was found discussing the scripture with the priests and scribes in the Temple.
Finally, our Lord used the lunch of a giving boy to feed 5,000 men plus women and children. God uses those who are young.
When Jesus told the disciples to allow the little children to come to Him, He used that incident to teach them, saying that whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom like the little children received Him, would by no means enter it.
In another article, I established that God has no grandchildren. In other words, just because mom or dad were believers or are believers, does not automatically make us a believer. We must come to God ourselves. That makes us all who have come to Him His children.
This means, like the title of this article says, that the Kingdom is made up entirely of children – children of God – those who are born again. We begin as young ones in the Lord. We don’t know much but we trust those who have led us to God. We learn. In fact, we are ever learning. We only graduate from this school when we finally reach Heaven, where we are grown children of God.
In the beginning, we are as Peter wrote, “desiring the milk of the Word of God” (1 Peter 2:2). Just as a newborn baby has to have milk to grow, so we need to take it slow, and understand what we can in the Bible. As we grow, we require a more solid diet, and eventually we grow to where we need meat and potatoes.
Regardless of our age, whether we are young or old, in our teens or in our nineties, we are still children of God. We may grow in our relationship with God, and we may mature in age. We may be called elders or youth. But we still must come to God like little children. Trusting, undoubtedly believing, ever fully relying on our Lord. He will never fail us. He will never let us down.
He may not answer every prayer just like we want, but He won’t fail us. Hang in there, Child of God. Keep on trusting and believing. Never let go of His trust. You won’t be sorry. Trust Him as a child and He won’t let you down. Why? Because all the subjects of His kingdom are children!
—————
Jerry D. Ousley is the author of "Soul Challenge", "Soul Journey", "Ordeal", "The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional" and his first novel "The Shoe Tree." Newer books include "Finality" and "Dividing God's Church."
Mark wrote in his gospel, “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16).
A few weeks ago, we shared an article on this same subject entitled, “The Innocent Ones.” Today, I feel it is important to revisit this topic from a slightly different angle.
God often used young people who, in their day, despite that they were in their teens or early adulthood, were still considered children. We are a little like that too, aren’t we?
What I mean is that we have a hard time accepting that our children are adults (that is, if you are old enough that your children are now grown). In our eyes, even though we are looking at a grown man or woman, they will always be our little boy, or little girl. It’s hard letting go.
God used Joseph. A boy about 17 years of age, abducted by his brothers and sold as a slave to traders going to Egypt. He began as a slave boy but before God was through, he was the second ruler of the land.
We see Samson; though a rebellious son, was called to be a judge over the people of Israel from birth.
Then there was Samuel, who was dedicated to God and given to Eli, high priest over the tabernacle, for service to God.
David, whom God called “a man after His own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22), was raised up to slay Goliath as a teenage boy. Jesus Himself was only 12 years old when He was found discussing the scripture with the priests and scribes in the Temple.
Finally, our Lord used the lunch of a giving boy to feed 5,000 men plus women and children. God uses those who are young.
When Jesus told the disciples to allow the little children to come to Him, He used that incident to teach them, saying that whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom like the little children received Him, would by no means enter it.
In another article, I established that God has no grandchildren. In other words, just because mom or dad were believers or are believers, does not automatically make us a believer. We must come to God ourselves. That makes us all who have come to Him His children.
This means, like the title of this article says, that the Kingdom is made up entirely of children – children of God – those who are born again. We begin as young ones in the Lord. We don’t know much but we trust those who have led us to God. We learn. In fact, we are ever learning. We only graduate from this school when we finally reach Heaven, where we are grown children of God.
In the beginning, we are as Peter wrote, “desiring the milk of the Word of God” (1 Peter 2:2). Just as a newborn baby has to have milk to grow, so we need to take it slow, and understand what we can in the Bible. As we grow, we require a more solid diet, and eventually we grow to where we need meat and potatoes.
Regardless of our age, whether we are young or old, in our teens or in our nineties, we are still children of God. We may grow in our relationship with God, and we may mature in age. We may be called elders or youth. But we still must come to God like little children. Trusting, undoubtedly believing, ever fully relying on our Lord. He will never fail us. He will never let us down.
He may not answer every prayer just like we want, but He won’t fail us. Hang in there, Child of God. Keep on trusting and believing. Never let go of His trust. You won’t be sorry. Trust Him as a child and He won’t let you down. Why? Because all the subjects of His kingdom are children!
—————
Jerry D. Ousley is the author of "Soul Challenge", "Soul Journey", "Ordeal", "The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional" and his first novel "The Shoe Tree." Newer books include "Finality" and "Dividing God's Church."
