How can we cultivate a childlike faith as seen in Matthew 11:25? Setting the Scene “ ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.’ ” (Matthew 11:25) What Jesus Highlights in Matthew 11:25 • Divine revelation is granted to the humble, not the self-sufficient • “Little children” pictures simplicity, trust, dependence • Wisdom is not rejected; prideful self-reliance is Biblical Snapshots of Childlike Faith • Mark 10:14-15—“whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” • Psalm 131:2—“I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.” • Proverbs 3:5—“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” • 1 Peter 2:2—“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk.” Why We Need It • Opens our hearts to the Father’s revelation (Matthew 11:25) • Keeps us dependent on grace, not performance (Ephesians 2:8-9) • Protects us from pride that blinds (James 4:6) Practical Ways to Cultivate Childlike Faith 1. Daily Choose Humility – Begin each morning acknowledging, “Apart from You I can do nothing” (John 15:5) – Celebrate God’s greatness in worship; shrinking self enlarges trust 2. Stay Curious and Teachable – Approach Scripture expecting to learn, not prove a point (Psalm 119:18) – Invite seasoned believers to speak into blind spots (Proverbs 27:17) 3. Practice Dependent Prayer – Short, sincere prayers throughout the day mirror a child’s constant requests (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – Thank God for small provisions to reinforce dependence (Philippians 4:6) 4. Simplify Obedience – Act on the clear things God says instead of waiting for more insight (James 1:22) – Confess and repent quickly; children run back fast when corrected (1 John 1:9) 5. Foster Wonder – Spend time in creation and let it point you to the Father’s care (Psalm 19:1) – Keep testimonies of answered prayer visible; recount them often (Psalm 77:11-12) 6. Guard Against Cynicism – Limit voices that mock or belittle faith (Psalm 1:1) – Replace skepticism with Scripture memorization to renew thinking (Romans 12:2) 7. Engage in Joyful Praise – Sing aloud, clap, rejoice—children worship with their whole being (Psalm 98:4) – Celebrate others’ victories; jealousy ages the heart, gratitude keeps it young (Romans 12:15) The Ongoing Work of Grace Childlike faith is not immaturity; it is mature dependence. As we continually humble ourselves, remain teachable, and delight in our Father, He will keep revealing the riches of His kingdom that the self-reliant never see. |
    |