August 4

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3.

When ambitious thoughts of ruling entered into the hearts of the disciples, Jesus gave them an answer such as they needed. He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. His object was to rebuke the sinful ambition of the disciples and to teach them a lesson of humility.

The ambition of each disciple was to be the greatest in Christ's kingdom. But the Lord assured them that, if they would not abandon these lofty thoughts, if they would not become small in their own estimation, they could not even enter His kingdom, much less rule in it.

Little children are quick to believe, and they implicitly believe what their father says. If a father tells a child something which it cannot understand and which seems incredible to him, he may argue for a little while, but he is sure to accept his father's word. Oh, if we grown people could only believe with such simplicity of faith as little children do! But this is the very thing we must learn to do; we must become as little children and never question the Word of our Father in heaven; we must not doubt a single word of His, whether we understand it or not.

Another chief feature of a child's humility consists in this, that he trusts his father and mother and not himself. He looks to father and mother for everything — clothing, shoes, food, toys. He trust mother's love even when she is punishing him. He is sure that his father knows the way home and will take him there. As a child trusts his father and mother, so we should put our trust in our Father in heaven. Cares we should not cherish, but cast them upon God and let Him care for us. Worry and anxiety about food and raiment should not be in our hearts, but we should firmly believe that our Father will make the necessary provision for His children. And we should never murmur because of the rod that strikes us, but rather climb into the Father's lap and embrace Him. And if we cannot see the way, our Father knows, and He will bring us safely to our eternal home.

Prayer.

Dear Father in heaven, Thou hast sent Thine own Son, who taught us how to pray, giving us the very words which we should use. According to this prayer we may call Thee our Father and ourselves Thy children. We humbly beseech Thee, let our hearts become like those of little children, let simplicity of faith and unwavering confidence reign in them. Let us never despise Thy command nor doubt Thy promise. Guide us with Thy counsel and afterwards receive us into glory. Amen.

Father, since of Zion's city Happy children we became, Let the world deride or pity, We trust simply in Thy name. Fading is the worldling's pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Zion's children know.