Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Psalm 8:2 (ESV)
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
Children will say anything! I can recall more than one occasion that made me want to hide as our toddlers voiced an untimely opinion or question. One such moment took place several years ago at the home of my husband’s Commander. He had invited all of the new families to his home for a barbeque and before we ate he blessed the food. This blessing was quite lengthy and my little darling decided to tell him so. Amidst a patient crowd of bowed heads and hushed families, our daughter yelled out from my arms, “Amen!” When his prayer did not cease, this little voice and now squirming body added, “When’s he gonna be done mama? I’m hungry!” Out the mouth of babes!
As embarrassing as the timing of children’s honesty can be, their boldness is commendable. I have a sweet preschool age friend who loves to ask perfect strangers if they love Jesus! That is the boldness I long for, don’t you?
If you could boldly speak to any person about Jesus, who would it be? What is holding you back? For many of us it is fear—fear of what we would say and how it will be received. But God did not give us the power of fear and timidity. Instead, He empowers us with love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). As a result, we can be a bold and intentional witness for Christ.
One of the best ways to grow in sharing the gospel is to practice! Our simple words and sincere conversation hold the incredible strength and power of the One of whom we speak. The Message Bible says it like this:
“Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble” (Psalm 8:2 MSG).
Thank goodness the power of sharing our faith is not limited to the eloquence of our speech! The strength of the gospel is not found in the speaker but in the power of the Holy Spirit speaking through us. Jesus loves the praise of children and commended their little voices to continue praising Him in spite of religious leaders who chided their immaturity (Matthew 21:16). We too can be childlike and keep growing and praising Jesus, regardless of how young we may be in our faith and witnessing-one baby step at a time!
The next time you feel timid or feel yourself getting tongue tied as you share your faith, remember Psalm 8:2 and ask God for His strength to witness with boldness and clarity. What sounds to your own ears like childlike babbling or immaturity in your effort to share the gospel, just very well may be silencing the enemy and speaking praise and life into the ears of the lost! Go for it…have a gospel conversation; with the boldness of a child, let God speak through you this week!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, grow my witness for you-teach me to boldly speak Your Truth and my testimony, trusting Your Holy Spirit to speak through me. Forgive me for the times I kept my mouth quiet out of fear or insecurity. Remind me it is Your Power alone and not my skill that changes hearts! Take my baby steps of gospel sharing today and grow your Kingdom! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
Hosea 6:3
Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”