Jesus and the little children

Pregnancy is usually a wonderful time in the life of a woman. However, there are circumstances that make people feel like they either aren't ready for a child or should end the child's life for the child's own good. What can we learn from God's word about how he feels about children and His plans for them?

1. Who made us?

We are told that God created our inmost being and knit us in our mothers' wombs. (Psalm 139:13) This tells us that while there are biological, chemical, and physiologic changes involved, it is truly God that creates us.

2. Who hates little children?

Certainly not Jesus, who told the little children to come to Him. (Matthew 19:14). We do find that evil people throughout history have hated little children including Pharoah (Exodus 1:22), King Herod (Matthew 2:16), and others (Leviticus 18:21, 2 Kings 17:31, 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6, Ezekial 16:20-21, 23:39)

3. What does God have planned for The people He created?

He sent Jesus to save all of the people who believe in him. (John 3:16) He has a plan to prosper His children and not to harm them...to give us a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).

We may not always understand how God will use what we view in the moment as a mistake or tragedy, but He will. This is because He is God and His ways are higher than ours. (Isiah 55:9) So, whether a child is conceived in celebration or horrible circumstances or if the child is predicted to have a short and/or difficult life, it is not a surprise to God. He has a plan for that child and that child may touch more lives than any "normal or planned" child ever will.

What will you do to stand up for these little children who cannot defend themselves?

Playing Within the Game Plan

Have you ever seen a player who has hurt his team by trying to do more than he has been asked to do? It winds up frustrating the player who is trying too hard, as well as his teammates, and isn’t a productive way to achieve the team’s goals.

Peter cut off the ear of a Roman soldier who came to arrest Jesus (John 18:10-11). Jesus told him “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Annanias and Sapphira wanted to look good by claiming to give the church all of the money from the sale of their property (Acts 5:1-11). They had actually held some money back for themselves. Their deceit led to both of their deaths. Moses striking the rock and David committing adultery with Bathsheba are yet other reminders in the Bible of people thinking their plan is better than God’s.

What area of your life do you think you know better than God? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Won’t you trust your next decision to the God who gives you hope and a future?

Letting Go of Your Clunker

Today, it was reported that approximately 700,000 clunkers were traded in for new vehicles during the government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. People who brought their clunkers into dealerships as trade-in value for a new vehicle knew they were giving their vehicles up to be destroyed and that they would never be able to get them back. How then can we as Christians better get rid of the “clunker” aspects of our old life and grasp the new creation we are in Christ? (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

One thing we can do is to turn our focus to God. We are reminded that “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). Jesus also told us “...do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4-5).

Focusing on God also allows us to let go of worry when we believe God’s promises for us. Jesus told us “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).

We need to let go of the “clunkers” in our life on a moment by moment basis. Focusing on fearing God more than man and remembering His promises are the keys to doing this. We have a great God who declares “For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Are you ready to give up your “clunker” for God’s hope and future for you?