Approach God as a child

“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV

Matthew wrote, “The disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him…And he said…‘Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (vv. 1-3 NIV). To do great things for God, you must approach Him with a childlike attitude. You can learn a lot from watching little children. Wherever they are, they find a way to enjoy whatever they’re doing. They’re quick to forgive an offense. One moment they’re fighting over something, the next moment they’re playing happily together. And trusting comes easily to them. Your children don’t worry about mortgage payments, meals, or making ends meet because they implicitly trust that you will provide what they need. What was Jesus teaching us? (1) To have simple faith; (2) to pray simple prayers; (3) to be quick to repent; (4) to reach regularly for God’s help; and (5) to believe that your heavenly Father is good and that “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Plus, when you forgive children, they don’t run around feeling guilty and condemned. With this kind of simplicity in your relationship with God, you’ll find yourself growing spiritually and enjoying Him more than ever. And that should be your goal.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024