30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 1-2 Children and the kingdom of God 04 Lesson of Trust
📖 Luke 17:1-2
12Jun2020 - *Lesson of Trust* - _Luke 17:1-2_ - Bible reading: _Psalm 131:1-3_
_Luke 17:1-2 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones._
When we focus our attention on children, we will internalise the culture of leadership of the kingdom of God, which is a culture to be willing to be unnoticed, ignored and overlooked but we are focussed on genuinely caring for the vulnerable. This is the first lesson that we learn from children and the kingdom of God.
Now, let’s consider the second lesson. _Matt 18:3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Mark 10:15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."_
What is this conversion that is required of us? Without this conversion, we cannot enter the kingdom of God.
If we were to reflect on the qualities of children, we will all come up with several amazing qualities that children have but what would be the one quality that holds all of the other qualities together?
I would say that the one quality that embraces all of the other qualities of children, is the quality of trust. Look at how a little baby trusts her mother. The mother herself may have had her first baby, with no experience whatsoever, but the tiny baby, in this young mother’s arms, is fast asleep because of the wonderful quality of trust.
It is because of this quality of trust that children have that they are impressionable, quick learners, will imitate others, they are not malicious or spiteful but are eager, enthusiastic and curious
The quality, therefore, that we need to learn from children, which will allow us to enter the kingdom of God, *is trust, faith or belief in God*. _Luke 8:12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should *believe and be saved*._
_Psalm 131:2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me._ This is the expression of the Psalmist of how our soul needs to be in a relationship with God. Is this how you are today? Or is your soul cluttered, unrested and anxious? Will you seek the Lord to give you the trust of a child?
When the Lord sees us, what does He see in us? _Matthew 13:15 FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE GROWN DULL. THEIR EARS ARE HARD OF HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM.'_
This is a terrible condition for us, adults. Over the years we have become cynical, sarcastic and contemptuous, of the things of God. To unlearn cynicism and relearn the quality of trust, we need to go to children for they will teach us to trust, to be eager, enthusiastic and curious of the things of God and to adopt the things of God into our lives.
_Hebrews 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; (13) but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin._
If we continue in our cynicism, our hearts will be hardened and that is a dangerous stage to be in, in life. We cannot allow our walk with God to degenerate to such a state. We need to repent of our lack of trust, ask His forgiveness and receive this gift of trusting in God, from Him. It is children, who will guide us to this experience. We need to also encourage one another to remain in a state of trust.
*The second lesson that we learn from Children and the kingdom of God, is the lesson of Trust*.
*Thought to ponder*
```We have always seen ourselves as the teachers and children as the learners but it is truly the other way around.```