The Faith of a Child

Trustfulness is a child’s nature

Written By: Judy Smith

Matthew 18:2-3 And Jesus called a little child to Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, “verily I say to you, except you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

What are the characteristics of a little child, and how does she live? A little child lives by faith and her chief characteristic is freedom from care. A little child trusts their parents, their caretakers, their teachers, and even people who are unworthy of trust. Trustfulness is a child’s nature. Everything is provided for the child. She lives in the present moment and receives her life without questions as it comes from the parents. The baby does not toil, yet she is fed, and clothed, and loved.

This is the life of faith that Jesus taught: being a child in the Father’s house which transforms every weary burdened life into one of blessedness and rest. 1 Peter 1:13 Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Our hope in the flesh is the hope of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Biblical hope as a child of God is not wishful thinking. It looks forward to the fulfillment of the promises of God. We were built for an eternal Kingdom of peace and perfection.

As a child of God, we know who He is. He is our rock. As a child of God, trained in biblical hope, we apply His promises to the current situations. Don’t let hopelessness influence your life. It’s a lie of the enemy, and it will paralyze you. We hope in our God because He tells the truth and His promises are certain.

Mathew 18:14 NRSV So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

When we see our children stray we envy others as they share about how successful their children are, how their children are serving the Lord; and we wonder “how have I failed as a parent?” We often get down on ourselves. But then we must remember the promise of God: that if we train up a child in the way they should go then when they are old, they shall not depart from it.

I know this is true. Two of my children had fallen away, but I clung to His promise and they are now serving the Lord. We all struggle. We fall down and He picks us up. God is not only my Father, but He is my children’s Father too.

This is what Jesus says to us: “Rest in Me, My child, forgetting about the worries of the world. Focus on Me- Emmanuel- and let My living Presence envelop you in peace. Tune into My eternal security, for I am the same, yesterday, today, and forever. If you live on the surface of life by focusing on ever-changing circumstances, you will find yourself echoing the words of Solomon, “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” As My child, let Me live through you. Cooperating with Me is the way to instill meaning into your days. Begin each day alone with Me. As you spend time with Me, the way before you opens up step by step. Rise up from this time with Me and begin a new journey with Me through your day. Hold My hand in complete dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you.”

O Lord Jesus, my Emmanuel. You are God with me, the hope of Glory! I depend completely on You and You alone. I come alongside of You and put my hand in Yours, and trust You to walk me through my days. As a child depends on its parents so I come to you, depending completely on You. The hope of Glory. You are my healer, You are my provider, You are my peace, You are the joy of my life. Oh how I love you.