Have you ever wondered how you can have faith like a child?
I know I have! That's why today I'd like to share a growing understanding I have that's really helped me...so I thought it might just help you too!
In Matthew 19:14 we are told...
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
“For of such”—the kingdom of heaven is filled with this “kind or sort of character” according to Strong’s Concordance. That means that the kingdom of Heaven is filled with those who have the same simple trust in their Father that a child has in their daddy!
Think of that...🤔 Having the same absolute faith in the Word of God as a child has in their parent. When a child's daddy says something--then that's what it's going to be.
Just like a child we need to take God’s Word at face value. We need to read it and know that It means what it says and says what it means. To take God’s promises literally—just as a child takes their parents at their word!
When God says it—then IT IS! And that’s all there is to it. No wondering if it is so! No doubting! No worrying! No unbelief!
God said it—therefore it is!
For a child—when daddy says he will do something—then it will be done For a child—their daddy can protect them from anything For a child—their daddy is stronger than the strongest person in the world For a child—their daddy is superman and their mommy is superwoman For a child—as long as dad or mom are around everything is right in the world For a child—they can play without worry because they are always safe For a child—if daddy or mommy says it—then it simply IS
For us...as adults—if our Daddy—God—says it in His Word—THEN IT IS!!!
We MUST learn to take God’s Word at face value! When He promises us something we can take it to the bank!
BUT we have been taught to distrust God’s Word... Ever had these thoughts?
Maybe that promise isn’t for you
Maybe that promise isn't meant for today
Maybe you're not understanding it correctly
Maybe God didn’t mean it to say what you think it's saying
Maybe God wants you to suffer through this because you need to learn something
Maybe that’s for others but "I’m not good enough" to deserve that
And so we talk ourselves out of hope and as we do so we take the power right out of God’s Word—making it of no effect in our lives. We strip God of His power and then we wonder why He isn’t answering our prayers, cries, moans, fears, and tears.
Unless we believe—how can God do anything in our lives?
Our unbelief can keep God's Promises at arm's length
Here are just 3 of many Scriptures that give a pretty good picture of just what doubting and unbelief can do to our faith...what they can cost us...
Hebrews 3:12-15, 18-19
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 11:16
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
James 1:6-8
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
We must have that same faith that a little child has in his/her Daddy!
The... “My Daddy can do anything!” kind of faith.
We need to display the “MY Daddy is bigger than yours and he’ll beat your daddy up!” kind of faith—when we come face to face with our enemy! Why? Because it’s True. Search God’s Word to see if it isn’t so!
I dare you to Google “God’s promises in the Bible” and start meditating on the verses you find there. Here’s one source to get you started: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/gods-promises-verses-in-the-bible/
Meditating on God's Word increases our faith
Meditating means to roll it over and over in your mind. To read it again and again and again. To think about what you are reading. To ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth to you from that promise.
Write it out over and over again. Speak it out loud. Write it down on a recipe card and carry it in your pocket or purse and pull it out to read and think about while you’re waiting at a red light. During your commute to work—if you’re not driving of course. During your lunch break... coffee break...at bedtime.
Every free moment you have—pull out that card and think about what it says and how God will bring it to pass in your life. See yourself living this promise in your life. Imagine it happening in your life. Praise God for working out His promise in your life.
Praise Him even when you don’t yet see it happening in your life!
If it’s in the Bible then it is true!
It's as true for you today as it was in the time that the Bible was written. God doesn’t change with the passing of time (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17). His Word is as True and as accurate today as it was in the time of the Disciples.
Trust Him in the same way as a little child trusts her/his daddy—and then watch and see what He will do for you. His Word is Truth.
Isn’t it about time we start believing that God's Word says what it means and means what it says?
If someone you love could use help or encouragement in this area of their lives...please share this article with them!
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