A Voice in the Wilderness |
*** PORTIONS *** 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! ![]() |