Welcome to The Turnaround!
To start off today’s devotion, I’d like to first point out that in just a chapter before in Matthew 18, this happened:
“And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” – Matthew 18:2-5
This was only 3 to 5 days earlier and nearby in Galilee.
This was Jesus in His own words, in RED LETTERS! Here He elegantly tells us His thoughts, His divine Words, about His will for children.
Then a short time later, we see in Matthew 19, but now in Judea, near the Jordan, we see children being brought to Jesus to be prayed over and the disciples rebuking them! Jesus straight out tells them to let the children come to him!
The disciple Mark tells his perspective and he says in Mark 10:14 that Jesus was greatly displeased or “indignant” with his disciples for trying to stop the children.
Can you see that just days before Jesus eloquently showed us that children represent the KINGDOM of God and less than a week later (3- 5 day walk ) his disciples are doing the opposite of what he had just said.
As we can see here, Jesus is relatable to children.
In Galilee, the divine son of God takes a child, puts one on his knee and compares the great kingdom, divine eternity, everything of importance to a child.
Jesus is not talking about the Magic Kingdom, Burger Kingdom, Kingdoms in Dungeons and Dragons or The Seven Kingdoms.
Jesus is talking about the KINGDOM OF GOD, the One true King on His Throne.
and saying “for such is the KINGDOM…
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth…
He blessed the humble children.
It starts with HUMILITY
Also in Matthew 18, this is where Jesus very strictly, very intentionally warns people about those that do something against the children are going against His Kingdom.
Is it any wonder that we have to be reminded to focus on children?
Is it any wonder that Satan is attacking our children in our culture, in our entertainment, in our schools/education?
Is it any wonder that everything is being promoted is about pride yet, Jesus says The Turnaround starts with humility, specifically, the humility of a child?
The 52 Days of The Turnaround is a reminder that we must focus on children. Jesus told us for such is the kingdom of God.
Those who go against the children He says…..”it’s better for a millstone to be put around the neck and cast into sea”. In Deuteronomy 6 He gives the command to “teach all the commandments and the law to the children”
He also tells us in Proverbs to “train up a child in the way they should go”.
Praise the Holy Spirit for bringing us the 52 Days of Prayer, The Turnaround for children…. for such is the KINGDOM of God.
Questions
What are we doing to bless the children?
What are we doing to train up a child?
What are we doing to remind ourselves and others that the kingdom is about children?
Where have we abdicated our authority; in schools, entertainment? culture? church?
Where have we consented because…. silence is consent!
PRAYER
In the name of Jesus Christ, Your only begotten Son, we thank You for moving on the hearts and minds of the children and people of Oklahoma by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Thank You for the great awakening, the revival and The Turnaround that You provide through Your infinite wisdom, grace, and power. Today we re-dedicate our hearts and minds toward our first love, YOU, Your call, and Your commandment, to “let the little children come unto Me”. Amen
