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Re: Let the little children come...

"Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for
of such is the kingdom of Heaven." (Mt19:14)

Oh, the recent joy...! A friend e-mailed, telling of the conversion of
his little 5 year old daughter as she received Jesus into her heart!

Even in a little one such as this, the change was obvious. While she
had been accustomed to singing Christian songs, and whatnot, "now" her
talk was of "Jesus" and a "spark in her heart" was apparent.

"Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one
sinner who repents." (Lk15:10)

But guess what. Just as there is joy in heaven over a conversion, there
is, likewise, Wrath on the part of the enemy. Within an hour after this
new birth, the girl fell down the stairs. (Not injured, mostly scared.)
And then by that evening, a virus infection had grabbed her.

We have considered in Matthew 13 the seed snatched from the wayside by
the birds. The weeds sown amongst the wheat. And we have considered our
own experiences. One other scenario we also want to observe.

After the garden has been planted, and seeds have started to sprout,
have you ever sometimes noticed the "holes" in that fresh dirt? One
year, there were holes down the rows of peas, the size of a bird beak.
That year, also, there were hardly any peas that broke the surface of
the ground. The birds, apparently with their acute sense of hearing,
could hear the seeds sprouting, and were picking them out of the
ground, while they were still "under" the surface.

"In this world you SHALL have tribulation." (tests, trials, persecution)
(Jn16:33) The test to see "what kind it is." (1Cor3:13)

Yes, it's a cruel world. There is "joy" in knowing the Lord. But
equally, and swiftly...testings. The enemy would like nothing better
than to snatch that freshly planted Word out of a young convert.

But while Jesus promised "tribuation" He also exhorted, "be of good
cheer." (Jn16:33) The victory is not dependent upon us and our
striving. He says, "I have overcome the world." Paul affirms, "I thank
God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom7:25) We are to remain
"steadfast, immovable..." (1Cor15:58) "...looking unto Jesus the Author
and Finisher of our faith..." (Heb12:2) When those "birds" come along,
we cry out "Lord, save me!" (Mt14:30) And He swoops down to "rescue
those who have been tempted [tested]." (Heb2:18)

Amen!

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