DAY 23 - DO YOUR CHILDREN WORSHIP?

Scripture Reading: Matt 21:12-16

Matt 21:12-16
12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" 14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"


Discussion

Very early in Jesus' ministry, he went into the temple and drove away the money changers and merchants. This action offended the Pharisees as their lively hood was affected. But Jesus' action did not offend the children. In fact they shouted praises to him, offending the Pharisees even more. They could not be restrained.

Children have a high capacity to worship God. Firstly, they are less self conscious than adults. So their worship is pure and without a hidden agenda. Encourage your children to worship. Let them dance, shout, sing and clap their hearts out. You will find that they will be more expressive if you allow them to be free. This is the "perfect praise" Jesus is talking about. Their praises come straight from the heart.


Prayer

Father, I pray you will help me encourage my children to praise. Help me to bring them up honoring You so they will praise you all the days of their lives.


© Copyright. Ng Wah Lok 2002