Matthew 18:2-7 – “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!”  NKJV

Let me relate some to you and hopefully it will be beneficial, challenge you and inspire you.  If I am only successful in one or two of those I have failed.  I must find a way to attach all three legs to the stool or it falls short and that I would deeply regret.

I know a preacher who almost lost his faith due to the question of a child.  The little boy asked:  “Where did God come from?”  It was not a question borne out of disbelieve.  It was not a question seeking to find reason to not believe.  It was not a question of one seeking to combat the claims of the Bible or Christianity.  It was the innocent inquiring mind of a child and this preacher found that the more he tried to answer the question the more he questioned his faith.

Before you condemn him realize that many have questioned things in their lives and faith.  There have been times in many lives when they just didn’t know and wondered.  They wondered if they were saved, if God loved them, why there is evil and suffering in the world and found their time of question daunting.  If you have never questioned or doubted anything regarding your faith I praise you but ask you not be too quick to condemn those who have struggled with questions they could not answer.

Jesus said that we have to become as a little child and one thing I am certain regarding the minds of most children is they simply want to know.  Many times their questions have no maliciousness entwined they simply want to know.  Their questions are out of the honesty of their hearts and minds and come to us for answers.  Therefore, our answers to them must be carefully thought out, honest and solidly based in truth.  What happens when we are unable to give them a definitive answer?  How do we approach that?  Personally, it is with complete honesty and deeply rooted in prayer.  If I do not know I acknowledge I do not know and then give the reasons I believe what I believe.

I was asked how I would have answered the child and that has caused some deep introspection.  I have been asked that before and one of the ways I answer is to address the human body with its most incredible vascular and nervous system.  How could that just happen?  I will address the universe and the minute detail of solar systems, galaxies, planets, orbits, etc. and ask how could that just happen?  I relate the immediate and utter transformation of my life and ask how could that happen apart from God?  Although I may not be able to give a definitive answer as to where God came from, when He began or anything in that arena of thought and question I ask:  “How Can I Not Believe based on what I just said and adding to that the countless times I have experienced miraculous healing, divine intervention and guidance?”

             There are times when you have questions, fears and doubts and in those times you have to hold on to your confidence and keep going.  All questions in life are not answerable by mortal man but creation itself declares God and I believe.  The devil will use any vehicle he can find to shipwreck your faith and make you a castaway.  I do not suggest we cease honest inquiry that would be wrong.  You may never answer all the questions but you can give answer for the reason of hope that is within you.

I believe!  May the Lord bless you richly as you go through this day!