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221. "The Praise of Children"


Psalm 8
Key Verse: "You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of Children and infants You have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
Psalm 8:1B-2

"But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant." (Matthew 21:15) Matthew actually has the children praising Jesus after He arrived at the temple, but I imagine that it is pretty safe to assume that they were also praising Him all along the route as He entered the City.

"Do You hear what these children are saying?"

"Yes," replied Jesus, "Have you never read, "From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise!" Notice that Jesus referred them to God's written word, in Psalm 8. He did not ask this time, "Have you not heard?" as He often did. Jesus knew that the Word was powerful and unalterable. What we hear can be debated and interpreted by our own filters, moods and experiences. One person may think that the speaker sounded angry while another thought that what was spoken was encouraging. The words used can be debated and one word can be misunderstood and change the entire meaning, but the written word is objective. Everyone sees the same words and David, inspired by God, wrote: "From the lips of Children and infants You have ordained praise." (Psalm 8:2) The children were doing what Jesus, as God, had ordained them to do and Jesus wasn't about to stop it.

“From the lips of Children and infants You have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." (Psalm 8:2) Children know Him and know who He is. It is we adults who listen to satan, God's enemy, and have our doubts.

May we do as Jesus said and come like a child to His throne and lift up our voice in praise, recognizing who He truly is, the creator of all things and the ruler of all. He is our redeemer.
"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."
"I tell you," He replied, "If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:39-40) Let's not leave the praising of our Lord to the children and the stones of creation. Let's do our part and do it ourselves!

Hymn: "All Glory, Laud and Honor" 
             Oh Lord, Our Lord
               

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