There are some priceless things which come from the mouths of children. We’ve heard some great gems from a little boy we’ve babysat for the past few years. Some are humourous. He asked my why we always go to the grocery store. I told him, “to buy food,” to which he quickly retorted, “McDonald’s sells food too!” Some are touching. This past week, hearing that I injured a rib while playing hockey, he was in tears. When he saw me, he asked me not to play hockey again, saying, “because I don’t want you to get hurt again.” Another precious moment occurred when he commented on a Cheerios TV commercial using the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” In his mind, the song just didn’t match what was on the TV.. He stated with surprise, “Hey, that’s a Jesus song!”
Amen! What to some was just a catchy jingle to him was a reminder of the Lord, and I appreciate that. Friend, the Lord needs to be on our minds as much as possible, and may it be the case with us that our minds are so in tune with the Lord that even the little things of life cause us to think on Him.
The Law commanded the people of Israel to
…fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life… (Deuteronomy 6:2)
To accomplish this, they were commanded,
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
Some Israelites took this literally, wearing phylacteries, a headband with a pouch containing a text from the Law in it. I’ve seen barns with religious messages painted on the roof, and several homes with Bible plaques and signs in them. These outward displays of loyalty to the Lord are good, but I believe the sprit of the commandment was more a matter of the heart than a matter of external decorations.
God’s word should have such importance in our lives that we cannot help but think about it, talk about it, sing about it, etc. It ought to have such a profound impact on our children so as to cause the same things in them.
God’s word needs to be the centerpiece in our homes. Not on display on the coffee table, but on display in our thoughts, speech and actions. When this is the case, then we will affect those who are around us for good for the gospel’s sake.
The Psalmist wrote,
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
Paul would later write,
…since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:19-20)
When we see the creation that surrounds us, do we acknowledge the Lord’s hand in it? Does our conversation before our brethren and unbelievers alike attest to the fact that God
…did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. (Acts 14:17)
God is so good. May our minds be tuned to dwell upon His goodness, and to share that understanding with others. May the simple things in life remind us of the God we serve, and may we set our hearts on obeying His will, to His glory and the salvation of our souls.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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