1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Praise God when our children come to Christ out of love and not with great repentance. A tender heart shall not be broken. Which of them has known the hardship of guilt placed on the wicked?

Naiveté aside we all need to come to an understanding of the demands of being a servant of God and the opposition of our adversary Satan. We raise up tender hearts to love and we would have it that their hearts are never broken. We shy away from telling them of cost of obedience.

Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

The hedge of protection and the watchtower can only protect the vine as long as we remain vigilant but we will sooner or later turn them over to another husbandman. Whether it is a daughter to her husband or a disciple to another teacher their protection is in the relationship they have made with our God. Have we taught them everything they need to know to remain strong in the face of opposition or did we think our hedge and tower would last forever?

Sadly our children must grow and their innocence tested. Did we tell them the whole truth?

Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Love of righteousness may come naturally but hatred of iniquity does not. Teach them.

Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

In seeking the Lord this morning I come to a place of casual acquaintance, an expectation of performance based on past experience. I am led here and reminded that reverence is required in His presence.

This is a season of expectation for both adults and children. Memories hold hope for yet another successful season of joy and sharing. In doing that I sense within myself a less than reverent mindfulness.

We see postings which say that Jesus is the reason for the season with colorful Christmas colors and assorted accoutrements. We want to be in a festive mood and enjoy the company of loved ones as is our traditions. Is that the picture of reverence?

We just passed thru the thanksgiving season that was overshadowed by advertisements for Black Friday’s sales. Watching people participating in those sales makes me wonder where the reverence went?

The first use of reverence in the bible is the Hebrew word yare’ and means fear as in fearing for one’s own life. We don’t use it that way, we don’t treat it that way and we sure don’t act that way.

I was a soldier in Vietnam and there was great fear in the reality that I could step on an IED at any time. Being aware of that, knowing the real danger, I made sure of every step I took.

Being in the presence of God should take on that same reverence and caution in every step we take. We should be taking care to listen closely and understand precisely in order to step where He has shown us to step in safety.

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

With reverence.