Day 263
Matthew 21:16 NIV
"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 have ordained praise?"
As Jesus went to the temple at Jerusalem, children shouted praises to Him. The chief priests and the scribes, who were political as well as religious leaders, heard them and were repulsed by their praises to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to stop the children from praising Him. Jesus quoted from the book of Psalms, as He showed His approval of the children.
It is so wonderful to watch children in action. They react honestly. They are not concerned about being politically correct. The children in the temple that day did not stop to examine what they were about to say to make sure it would not offend the leaders in the temple. Their praise was spontaneous. Their attention was on nobody else but Jesus.
According to Psalm 8, which Jesus quoted, what the children were doing was ordained by God. The psalm said praise, or strength silences the enemy. Adults have a tendency to be concerned about their dignity when it comes to spiritual things. They may act the fool at a sporting event, but that is socially acceptable. It is not as acceptable to react wildly to the things of God. The same excitement people show at sporting events would appear undignified to them, if their.actions were in response to something spiritual. Therefore, adults are generally not as free to express themselves about the things of God as children are. So, God ordained praise, which is strength, to come forth from the lips of innocent children who would give it forcefully and without inhibitions.
Jesus said we must be converted and become as little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. We must forget what the world and religious people think and respond spontaneously in praise to God, as we become more and more aware of who He is. If a child receives something he considers special from his father, he would excitedly say to someone, "Look what Daddy gave me!"
When we experience the goodness of God, we must not keep quiet and dignified about it, but rather brag about our Father and His goodness. Let us tell someone today what God has done for us. Let us show excitement over the best Father in the world - our heavenly Father. When we look at the words, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" may we respond, "Yes. They are showing us what we should be doing."
I will boldly and unashamedly show my excitement about my wonderful God. I will have no concern about what disapproving persons think. I will help someone else learn to appreciate the God I serve. Through my praise, God will be glorified, and the enemy will be silenced.