By: Linda R. Poitras
Written Christian preaching about children
And Jehovah answered Samuel, Do not look at his appearance, nor at the greatness of his stature, for I have destroyed him; for Jehovah does not look at what man looks at; for man looks at what is before his eyes, but the Lord looks at the heart ”(1 Samuel 16: 7).
APPROACH
Many parents do not feel that their children are important or worth their time and effort. Parental occupations often take precedence, and many children never reach their God-ordained potential because of this. God’s Word gives us clear instructions on how He views everyone — including children. He sees the heart.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT GOD’S PLAN FOR CHILDREN
Our key quote is taken from the story of Samuel choosing a new king for Israel. The prophet and priest spoke to God, asking for his direction, but still he saw the situation, and David, the way adults normally see children — small and insignificant. God had a plan for this shepherd boy, and God’s plan has always included children.
(You may also be interested in: Being a Godly Father)
• He designed children to be a blessing from Him — not a nuisance that gets in the way of adults’ “important” plans (Proverbs 17:6).
• God’s plan takes his most innocent, meek and vulnerable creatures, and forms them into his great children.
• He wants them to follow his Word, do his will and live according to his purpose (Romans 12:1-2).
• He often uses these little creatures to attract the attention of bigger people and show them how they should act if they want to enter his kingdom (Mark 10: 13-16).
• He wants them to belong to a family where they love Him very much and love each other very much (Ephesians 6: 1-4).
• He plans for the family to love those around them in such a way that they share the good news of his Word (Genesis 18: 17-19).
• He wants everyone to enjoy an abundant life (John 10:10).
GOD SENT A BABY
In one of his lessons entitled “When You Follow a Star and Find a Barn,” John Maxwell tells the following story (adapted here).
In the year 1809, the entire world expected to see and hear what Napoleon Bonaparte—self-proclaimed Emperor of France—would say. He had already won the great naval battle of Trafalgar (1805) and was marching into Europe, conquering every nation, apparently with nothing and no one to stop him.
History reveals that the year 1809 was an important year. Not because of Napoleon, but because of the babies that were born that year:
• William Ewart Gladstone, became the Prime Minister of Great Britain on four different occasions (a great politician).
• Alfred Lord Strain, became an English poet, whose profound effect on literature still continues to this day (a great literary figure).
• Oliver Wendell Colmes, became an American writer and physician, who helped advance sterilization techniques to remove bacterial infections in surgery and the birthing process (great doctor).
• Charles Darwin, born on February 12, 1809, grew up to become a British scientist and the father of the modern theory of evolution. His theory changed the thinking of scientists and modern society in general (a world-renowned scientist).
• Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 (the same day as Charles Darwin), in a cabin in a small village in the United States. He became the 16th president, and preserved the union of the American States, annulled slavery in the United States, and influenced many people to do the same (a great leader and lover of equal rights for all mankind ).
• Felix Mendelssohn was born in Germany, he was the grandson of a Jewish philosopher. He became a musical genius of the early 19th century (a great musician).
The achievements of these men touched the whole world and had a much greater effect on humanity than the march of Napoleon. But it didn’t seem that way in the year 1809. After all, they were just babies. The whole world sees babies as something special, but not important in men’s affairs.
(I also invite you to read: The Important Role of the Father in the Home)
“A baby, it is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” (Carl Sandburg)
LOOK AT THE CHILDREN OF GOD
God’s Word is full of stories about children.
• Cain was the first baby born into the world, but he did not follow God’s ways (Genesis 4:1, 5-9). He grew up to become the first murderer — of his own brother.
• Isaac was the promised baby of God, who was born twenty years after God spoke to his father Abraham and gave him the good news that he would have a son (Genesis 15:4-5; 18:10-15; 21: 1-7).
• Joseph was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife (Genesis 30:22-24). We see the hand of God in his life during many difficult circumstances (Genesis 37, 39-41). He saved his family (and the nation of Israel) from famine.
• Moses inspired many to trust in the God who protects and guards his own (Exodus 2:1-10). He grew up to lead an entire nation out of slavery without fighting a battle — overnight.
• Samuel was dedicated to the Lord before his birth (1 Samuel 1:1-20, 24-28). God gave his mother five more children (1 Samuel 2:20-21).
• John the Baptist was a miracle baby, born to very old parents (Luke 1:6-7). The Bible talks about baby John while he was still in his mother’s womb.
“Because it will be great before God. He will not drink wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb ”(Luke 1:15).
All of these stories (and many more) show us the importance of “ordinary” babies born into “ordinary” families. In reality, no baby is “ordinary.” Every baby is a miracle from God and is a potential for the start of new and great things.
“Life is a flame that is always extinguishing itself, but it is rekindled every time a child is born.” (George Bernard Shaw On Raising Children)
(Perhaps you may be interested in: Being a Godly Mother)
HOW THE DEVIL SEE CHILDREN
Looking at different times in history, it is interesting to note that the Devil knows where to start destroying an enemy — killing babies.
• Pharaoh ordered the slaughter of all newborn babies to stop the growth of Israel (Exodus 1:16-17, 22). But Moses was preserved and grew up in Pharaoh’s palace (Exodus 2:1-10).
• Herod ordered the slaughter of all babies under two years of age, after the wise kings from the east came looking for baby Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18). Joseph obeyed the angel’s instructions and took his family to Egypt to escape this slaughter (Matthew 2:13-15).
Today, children are the main target of the Devil’s attack against humanity. Let’s see some statistics (taken from Misión Fronteras magazine, March 2001).
• 35,000 children under five years of age die every day due to malnutrition.
• 40 million children are aborted each year. (29% of babies conceived are never born.)
• 2 million children die each year because they are not vaccinated.
• 2 million children died in wars in the last twenty years.
HOW GOD SEES CHILDREN
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling a child, he placed it in the midst of them, and said: Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So whoever humbles himself like this child is greater in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it were better for him that a millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:1-6).
Throughout the synoptic of the gospels, Jesus gives us a clear understanding of how He views children:
• The eldest in his kingdom is the one who changes his “adult” attitude to have the character of a child.
• Anyone who hurts (offends) one of your children (whether actually a child or a believer with the character of a child) will be in serious trouble.
• Those who receive children in his name, receive him.
• Heaven is going to be full of people, whose character is like that of a child.
The disciples tried to dismiss the children who were being presented to Jesus. They thought that Master was too busy with “important things” to take time with such children. But Jesus took the time to bless them and to remind the adults that children are important in his kingdom.
“And they presented children to him so that he could touch them; and the disciples rebuked those who presented them. Seeing Jesus, he was indignant, and said to them: Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them, because of such is the kingdom of God. And he taking them in his arms, laying his hands on them, he blessed them ”(Mark 10: 13-16).
Note that the narratives of these blessings on children (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16) come immediately after Jesus’ teachings on marriage and divorce (Matthew 19:1-9; Mark 10: 1-12). There is an important connection between a lasting marriage and children who are truly blessed and touched by God. His plan for their blessing includes a home with both parents participating in their daily life and growth.
The early church obviously understood the lessons that Jesus taught about the value of children. When Paul wrote to Timothy, giving him instructions for the church in Ephesus, he spoke of how important it is for the saints to care for their families and provide for their needs.
“Because if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1. Timothy 5:8).
“That he rule his house well, that he have his children in subjection with all honesty (for he who does not know how to govern his own house…