Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Daily Devotion

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

Matthew 18:1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

The Lord does not ask us to return to the stature of a little child. He wants us to have a child's simple attitude of relying on others. The most lovable part of a child is their simple faith. When my children go window shopping they really don't need to bring money. When they want to buy things, they only need to look at me, pointing to the thing and say, "Daddy, I want that one." And that's all. Even though I am not wealthy, I still try my best to satisfy them. In this world, you and I do not really need million dollars, because we have a merciful heavenly father, to whom we can simply bring all our needs. Of course, that doesn't mean that we can do nothing. However, as we grow older, we grow more rational. More and more we don't simply relying on God, even stop bringing our needs in prayers to God. We think they are childish trickeries. We think that the only things dependable are ourselves.

I, myself, am a father. I understand how pure a child's faith can be I once brought my two daughters to a water park. My elder one can swim, while the younger one can not. I brought the younger one to a shallow place to play where there was a tube slide. I told her that she could go up there and I would meet her at the bottom. She happily went up. After I went into the water, I found it was quite deep. I could not even touch the bottom. I thought, how could I pick her up while I could not even stand still? As I was going to call her coming down, she was already at the top of the slide and waved to me, "Daddy, I am coming!" I hurried to the tube's exit without realizing that I was right in front of it. My daughter slided down and splashed my face such that I could not see anything. I couldn't find where she went. I was more worried, and hurriedly dived into the water and grabbed her. She said to me, "One more time!" At that time, God reminded me that if a father who has not much wisdom, not much power like me would try my best to protect my own daughter, how much more will our heavenly father?

Brothers and sisters, we really need to come back to God like children, and depend on God with our pure and reliant hearts. Nothing is too difficult for Him, and God is more than glad to be our help, our strength, and our salvation in our daily lives.

Pray with Pastor Tong

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Dear heavenly father, we are willing to depend on you again, because we are your sons and daughters. You are the Lord who created us and redeemed us. You are also the great shepherd of our daily lives. May God gives us pure and great faith, believing in your provision, guidance, and protection. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!