Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving into a powerful passage from the book of Lamentations that speaks to God's heart for children, the need to feed them, and our response as followers of Christ. I recently came across a quote from Christian author and speaker, Christine Caine, that really struck me. She said, "God always uses the ones who are the least likely candidates, with the least likely resources, to reach the least likely people in the least likely places." Isn't that a beautiful reminder of how God can use each and every one of us to make a difference in the lives of those around us, especially the children?

God's Heart for the Children

God's Heart for the Children is a central theme that runs throughout the Bible, and it is a powerful reminder of the love and compassion our Heavenly Father has for all of His creation, especially the little ones. In the passage we read from Lamentations, we see the heart-wrenching scene of children and infants fainting in the streets of the city, crying out for bread and wine, and their lives ebbing away in their mothers' arms. This vivid imagery is not only a testament to the dire circumstances faced by the people of Jerusalem at that time but also serves as a poignant reminder of the deep love and concern God has for children.

One of the most profound aspects of God's heart for children is His desire to protect and provide for them. Throughout the Scriptures, we see numerous examples of God's intervention on behalf of children, such as the story of Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, where God hears the cries of the boy and provides water for them to drink (Genesis 21:14-19). Similarly, in the story of the widow of Zarephath and her son, God miraculously provides food for them during a time of famine (1 Kings 17:8-16). These stories, among many others, demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to the well-being of children and His willingness to intervene in their lives to ensure their needs are met.

Another aspect of God's heart for children is His desire for them to be raised in an environment where they can grow and thrive spiritually. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, God commands the Israelites to teach His commandments diligently to their children, impressing upon them the importance of loving and obeying the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength. This command is not only for the benefit of the children themselves but also for the future generations of God's people, ensuring that they would continue to walk in His ways and experience His blessings. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of nurturing the faith of children when He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14). By welcoming and blessing the children, Jesus demonstrated the value He placed on their spiritual well-being and the vital role they play in the kingdom of God.

God's heart for children is also evident in His call for His followers to care for and minister to them. In the New Testament, we see Jesus instructing His disciples to welcome children in His name, saying, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me" (Mark 9:37). This command underscores the importance of caring for children as an essential aspect of our Christian faith and service. Furthermore, the apostle James writes that "pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27). By highlighting the care of orphans and widows as a hallmark of true religion, James emphasizes the responsibility of believers to care for the most vulnerable members of society, including children.

In addition to the biblical examples and teachings, we can also see God's heart for children in the life and ministry of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus interacting with children, healing them, blessing them, and using them as examples of faith and humility. In one instance, Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader, demonstrating His compassion and power over sickness and death (Mark 5:21-43). In another instance, Jesus uses a child to teach His disciples about the importance of humility and childlike faith, saying, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). These interactions between Jesus and children reveal the depth of His love for them and His desire for them to experience the fullness of life in Him.

The Need to Feed the Children

The second point of this sermon, The Need to Feed the Children, delves into the crucial responsibility that we, as followers of Christ, have in addressing the physical and spiritual needs of children ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO