WE WONT EAT YOU, SON

Dear Believer,

When Ogo, our last born was a little boy of less than four, he was very attached to his parents, like most boys his age usually are.

During our weekly services, he would hold on to his mother and try to listen as much as possible to the teachings I gave in the Bible study.

This particular day I was using 2 Kings 6:26-29 to illustrate the tragedies Israel brought upon itself due to disobedience. That passage described how two women had an agreement to eat their sons one after the other because of the severe hunger in the land.

My little son was visibly shaken about this. He listened with rapt attention, his big eyes totally open and fixed on me. I had never known him to be that involved in a Bible study.

He was quiet the whole trip home, and then quietly came to me before we went to bed.

“Daddy, so when food isn’t available and people are very hungry, the mommies of the children can cook them and eat them?” he asked with deep concern all over his face.

I was almost bursting with laughter, but I controlled myself. It was clear to me where this was going. This little boy was imagining things. I decided to tease him a bit.

“Oh, it happened in those olden days. I hope we never get that hungry these days.”

He looked distressed.

Then he said quietly, “If everybody is so hungry, are you and mommy going to eat me?”

Since he was the smallest in the family, he was already imagining himself as the obvious choice for dinner should we all become very hungry one day.

I rolled my eyes and told him with affected unconcerned, “You are not even fat enough. You need to be better fed.”

He was at this time looking so pitiful that I couldn’t continue.

“Oh daddy,” he said so pitifully, getting ready to cry.

That totally cracked me up. I gathered him in my hands and covered him with kisses.

No, we won’t ever eat you, little boy, or anybody else for that matter. You’re so precious.

This funny incidence illustrates just how many Believers still view their Heavenly Father. When they read the Bible and see the record of the judgement the ungodly brought on themselves, they start to ‘fear’ God. This isn’t the ‘reverence and godly fear’ spoken of in Hebrews 12:28, but an unhealthy panic that invades their mind whenever they think of God’s justice.

Believers who think like this don’t understand God’s nature yet and they don’t know how much He loves them.

Today, I want you to meditate on the love of God. Everything God gives is a manifestation of His love. If He could give the world His Son because He loved it, what wouldn’t He do for His own children?

When you read the Bible, do not apply the portion of it meant for the unbelieving world to yourself.

Romans 8:1 KJV
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

God doesn’t condemn His own; He justifies them. It is good to emphasize that His love does not give us license to be disobedient, but we must also emphasize that He receives those who come to Him for restoration.

Romans 8:32-33 NET
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

You must understand your Father’s nature. He is forgiving and merciful. He does not ‘cook and eat’ his children.

Some Believers who do something wrong drift away from their Heavenly Father because of guilt and shame. That is exactly what Satan wants. Your Father, however, wants you to come to Him and be cleansed. He forgives and cleanses and makes you new again.

My son thought being little was a disadvantage. In his mind, it made him the most likely one to be hurt. In God’s mind, though, the little, weak ones are the priority. Have you ever noticed how Jesus seemed to be attracted to the sick, the weak and the vulnerable?

That is the love of the Father manifested through Him.

He says to you, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Dwell on His love today.

And have a great day!

Your friend,
Deon.

PS. The featured picture is of my boy on his eleventh birthday. He is no more afraid of being eaten one day!
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© August 2020 DailyVotions by Deon Akintomide.