February 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1-11:

¹At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
²And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
³And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
⁴Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
⁵And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
⁶But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
⁷Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
⁸Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
⁹And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
¹⁰Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
¹¹For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Devotional

The world honors the great, the rich, the mighty. God has regard to the small, the poor, the needy. How prone we are, even as Christians, to have respect unto the noble and mighty, and to look down upon the poor and lowly! The disciples rebuked those that brought little children to Jesus; but Jesus was much displeased with his disciples and said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." He also said, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones." And again He said "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." On the other hand He says, "Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." And again, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." And yet again, "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." The writer to the Hebrews, speaking of ministering to the saints, says, "We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Let us therefore not despise the little ones, but minister unto them.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, help us to walk before Thee in true humility. May we never despise Thy little ones; but may we in lowliness of mind esteem others better than ourselves. May the mind of Christ Jesus be in us, who humbled himself, and became obedient unto death. Help us to serve Thee with upright hearts, in the obedience of faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Mark 10:13, 14; Matt. 18:10; Mark 9:42; Matt. 18:5; 25:40; 10:42; Heb. 6:11, 12.

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