Today I read Matthew 21:16, where Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2, saying,
From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.”
Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and was responding to the religious leaders, who became indignant when the children shouted in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
Yes, Jesus heard and approved, for the children were shouting praise to Him.
Frank Stevens and Leora Estella Tish Stevens with daughters Cecilia and Velma.
Frank’s sister Lizzie Stevens Seymour and Fred Seymour with Velma and Donald ~ 1906.
Frank and Estella Stevens were my great-grandparents, and I knew Great-Grandma Stevens and Great-Aunt Cecilia.
“From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.” (Matthew 21:16)
This verse in Matthew reminds me of something I heard in a Bible study in South Africa.
A mom prayed,
Lord, please help our children to love and serve you all their lives.”
Ever since then, that’s been my prayer, too, for all the kids in my life. As one who was blessed with praying parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents on both sides of my family, I praise God for them because I’ve benefited from their prayers and seen answers to their prayers in the lives of my siblings and cousins and second cousins, my nephews and nieces, my kids and grandkids.
Although we’ve gone through terrible suffering, too, as every family does, God has given us peace and strength to cope. I’m convinced life would be without hope if I didn’t look beyond myself to God – to save, forgive, and guide me. How can we not praise Him?
Daniel and Elsa Grosenbach with their nine children and grandchildren ~ 1956.
I’m standing in the second row, behind my grandfather’s shoulder and in front of my mom and dad, who’s holding my sister Marla. My brother Blake is next to me, and my brother Doug is in front of Blake.
Praise Him, Praise Him, all you little children,
God is love, God is love.
Amen
Posted on March 15, 2016
What a lovely post! I was two or three when my parents became born-again Christians so I didn’t have such a legacy as you. Their families slowly accepted the change in them! I’m now the grandmother and pray for my grandchildren every day. What a privilege is mine!
Yes, I agree that praying for them is a privilege, Anita. I appreciated your comment. Thanks!