February 21 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1–5

Devotional

Why must one become as a child? Is a child brave, innocent, and pure? No! Even in a little child the root of all sin makes its home. Corruption already lies dormant in a child’s heart from the moment of conception. If their parents do not realize this, these children are to be pitied.

Why must we become as a child? It is not because of the heart of a child, but because children are so childlike. The three primary characteristics of children are their dependency, their affection, and their honesty.

A child is dependent, for of its own doing it can achieve nothing. He must receive everything from another. He must live off of what is given to him. He cannot provide for his own support and he does not even concern himself with such matters. He depends on his father and mother for everything.

A child is also affectionate. Even if you place a child in a room with oodles of toys, he may in the end only desire his mother’s companionship. The child’s mother means everything to him. This is childlike affection.

Moreover, a child is honest. He does not pretend. He believes and trusts all that his parents say to him. Therefore, he lives carefree, happy, and content; he is totally focused on another. “This is how you must become,” says Christ to His disciples, “as a little child.”

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.