Psalm 8:2
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Matthew 21:16
"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?"
This is difficult for me to grasp. God uses the children and their faith in Him to get the attention of the adults. He points out the power of this young and pure faith. It is loud, unselfconscious, confident, and worth shouting. And after spending ten minutes this morning examining and challenging the punctuation of this NT verse, I can see where appreciating the faith of a child might be helpful to me.
Holy Lord, help me to be confident and "out there" with my faith in you. I am too self-conscious. Amen
Becky, transforming
Psalm 8:2 and Matthew 21:16
We often forget that Jesus was a Jew. He was raised on the scriptures from an early age. These verses remind us of that fact. The Psalm reminds us, just as Jesus reminds the religious leaders, to teach our children of the love of God and to sing his praises.
Prayer: Gracious God, May I, like the children, sing your praises always. Amen
October 4th, 2023
Psalm 8:2
Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
Matthew 21:16
And they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
Children are natural huggers. They are experts as they run, leap and hug into the arms of their loved ones. They don’t hold back their affection and they don’t try to figure it out ahead of time. They just give it. And when they do, it’s a gift beyond explanation. But, because they are so…
Psalm 8:2/Matthew 21:16
The presence and sounds of children in a community of faith brings a vitality and exuberance that can encourage and lift the faith of all. The absence of this influence in so many churches today serves as a stark reminder as to the pathway for renewal. In some countries where Christianity Is restricted, it is illegal to offer Christian education until the age of 18. This has proven very effective in limiting the growth of Christianity in these countries. Tragically, Europe and increasingly the US have fallen into that trap voluntarily.
Prayer - Merciful God, we pray for the renewal that only children can bring to the Church. We ask, Lord, that You raise up charismatic and…