Why did Solomon compare himself to a little child?
1. He was young
2. He was inexperienced
3. He wanted wisdom and understanding
His request for wisdom pleased God, and God gave him that plus so much more. We can also ask for wisdom, and are invited to do so.
James 1:5-- “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Wisdom comes from God.
Proverbs 2:6-- “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
We as Christians are called “the children of God.”
The phrase “children of God” appears nine times in the Bible.
We are children by faith (Gal. 3:26)
We are to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9)
The Holy Spirit confirms us as children (Rom. 8:16)
We must love God our Father (I John 5:2)
We are also called “little children” in the Bible. This was one of John’s favorite terms, as he uses it nine times in the book of I John. John is trying to make a point. You are not big strong Christians, you are just little children. You are the children of God.
QUALITIES OF A LITTLE CHILD:
1. A little child is helpless
2. A little child needs protection
3. A little child needs love and nurturing
4. A little child needs mentoring
Solomon felt that all of this was true of him.
Now notice the contrast with God. As God’s children…
We are helpless. God is our help
Psalm 121:1-2-- “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
We need protection. God is our strong and mighty tower
Proverbs 18:10-- “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
We need love and nurturing. God is like a nurturing mother
Isaiah 49:15-- “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”
We need mentoring. God is the greatest Mentor
Psalm 32:8-- “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
Christian, what do you see yourself as? A great man or woman of the faith? A mighty saint? Your view of yourself is important.
--Solomon saw himself as a little child
--Paul saw himself as the chiefest of sinners
--Jeremiah saw himself as a child
Do you see yourself as a little child?
A child is helpless, hopeless, without understanding, without knowledge, without experience, in need of love and care, in need of correction, and in need of guidance.
Christian, you are a child of God!
Galatians 4:6-- “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Like a child, you need help, you need protection, you need the love of God, you need wisdom and instruction, you need personal time with your Father, you need mentoring, and you need the simple faith of a child.
This is why God blessed Solomon so much! Not because he was humble and honest, but because he saw himself as a little child. That’s what God wants from you.
Luke 18:17-- “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
Remember Gideon’s view of himself? He said he was the least in his father’s house, but the Lord called him a mighty man of valor (Judg. 6:12). He had the wrong view of himself. He saw himself as a coward, but God saw him as a warrior.
Jesus had His own view of Nathanael; He said to him, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47) He saw a lot of promise in this disciple.
God always has the right view of who you are, but what is your view of yourself?
In the end, we are all just little children.
John 21:3-5—“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.”
John 20:17—“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
Pastor David Platt, in his book “Follow Me,” remarks about peoples’ reactions to when they adopted a little boy they named Caleb.
“He’s so cute,” people remark. “Do you also have children of your own?”
Every time we’re asked this, we have an irresistible urge to say, “Come in real close, because we have a secret to share. He’s ours.”
People will also look at Caleb, realize he’s adopted, and then ask, “Have you met his real mother?”
My response to that one is quick and clear. “Well, yes, I’m actually married to her. Her name is Heather.”
They’ll respond, “Well, you know what I mean,” to which I respond, “Yes, and you know what I mean. My precious wife is not his fake mother; she’s bona fide, real.”
Others assume that Caleb doesn’t know much about his family or cultural background, so they’ll ask Heather and me if we’re going to be intentional in teaching him about his family or cultural heritage. We tell them, “Absolutely. In fact, we’ve already begun. It may actually surprise you that Caleb knows a lot about his family background. He knows all about his granddad, who unfortunately he never had the opportunity to meet because my dad died before Caleb was adopted, but Caleb has plenty of pictures, he’s heard plenty of stories, and one of his favorite videos to watch has been the ‘Grandpa’ video. In addition, he knows all about his other granddad, his two grandmas, his cousins, his uncles, aunts, great-aunts, and great-uncles. He has more family heritage than he knows what to do with.”
Caleb is eating his culture’s foods: barbecue, mac and cheese, watermelon, and birthday cake. He even knows the music of his culture. He may not be able to recognize the Kazakh national anthem, but he loves “Sweet Home Alabama.”
You see, Caleb is our son. He is not an alien or a stranger in our family.
These kinds of questions and comments from well-meaning people are not just potential annoyances to parents who have adopted. They are symptoms of something much deeper, for they reflect how little we understand about what it means to be adopted into a family. And if we don’t understand the concept of adoption at its core, how can we realize the ramifications of what it means to become a child in the family of God?
CONCLUSION
View yourself as a little child.
Come before God as a little child.
Come to church as a little child in need of instruction.
Open the Bible as a little child who needs understanding.
Get on your knees as a little child who wants fellowship with his Father.
Let God carry you as a father would carry his little child.
Let God correct you as a father would correct his little child.
Trust God as a little child would trust his father.
Love God as a little child would love his father.
Live your life only to please your Father.
