Listen to the Children

Jesus’ Ministry
January 28, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.’ But the Lord said to me,
‘Do not say, “I am only a boy”;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.’ –Jeremiah 1:4-8

Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger. –Psalm 8:2

I am letting others provide the words for this devotion today. I was impressed am still am by the tenacity of the Parkland Florida youth who declared no more school shootings and have continued to pursue peaceful means to end violence and hate. We do need to listen to the children.

They are crying out for peace around the world
They are telling us to stop the hurt and pain
Their smiles can melt the coldest heart
Their tears can pull your world apart
Why don’t we listen to the children

 Why can’t you see the world their eyes can see
There is no room for hate or jealousy
And color means nothing to them
To a child another is a friend
Why don’t we listen to the children

 Why don’t we listen, to what they try to say
Make a world of peace for them to live in
Take a leaf out of the book
They read to us each day
Why don’t we learn a lesson from the children

 So everyone around the word join hands
And spread the word of love across the land
Rejoice and live in harmony
And pray that peace at last will be
They need the help of you and me, our children 

They are crying out for peace around the world
They are telling us to stop the hurt and pain
Their smiles can melt the coldest heart
Their tears can pull your world apart
Why don’t we listen to the children*

Prayer: Lord, help us to give ear to the voices crying out to us to leave this world a better place than we found it in the name of your Son who listened to the children. Amen.

*Listen To The Children Lyrics by Isla Grant see at https://genius.com/Isla-grant-listen-to-the-children-lyrics

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.