THE CHILDREN'S VALUE

There were doubtless many children amongst the Christians who received the epistles of Peter. One of the first things he wrote was that they had all been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, so this reminded them that each one had the same supreme value to God. They were therefore to value and love one another dearly, and not just pretend to do so. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables the obedient believer to do this.

The only verse in the Bible which mentions boys and girls together tells us that they will be playing in the streets of Jerusalem when the Lord Jesus is known as King there. This shows the loving interest that God has in the young ones and you may be sure that there will be no dangers there in those days. In fact there will also be very old men and women sitting in the streets and said to be 'full of days'. What good examples and interesting experiences such persons are able to give from their long lives' It is a good thing for children to ask aged saints how they came to know the Lord.

Everyone knows that a precious thing is not only prized because of what it is, but also because of its usefulness. Thus in many parts of Scripture we read of children whom God valued because they could serve Him. Even as a babe Moses was 'fair to God', which means that his great work was already foreseen by heaven. One thing that parents think of in faith at household baptisms is that their child may be converted and become useful in time to the Lord. It is something like Samuel being lent to Jehovah for service all his life. It was in his mother's heart to give him but, very tenderly, God allowed her to continue calling him her own.

Perhaps children are more used to having lessons than being lessons, but the Lord used a little child to teach the twelve apostles the important lesson of being humble. He set the child in the midst of them and then took it in His arms. Thus He was not only a wise Teacher but also an affectionate Shepherd. In one gospel account Jesus called the little child to Him. Have you heard and answered such a happy call as this?

J.C.Evershed