Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger. (v.2)
Kids say the darnedest things. It's true. We all know it. Ask a group of preschoolers what they want to become when they grow up and you're likely to get answers from "I want to be a firetruck", to "I want to become my brother".
A couple of years ago I asked the children gathered for my children's sermon to tell me if they thought God was mean or nice. Expecting this to be a simple question...My own son (age 3 at the time) shouted out, "Daddy, who is God?" To this day I still have members of my church who like to tease me with that one. But, the truth and honesty in his question delivered an unintended message of the necessity for Christian Education much better than anything I could have prepared on the same subject.
The use of the word "babes" here in this Psalm refers to those who are immature, vulnerable, and dependent. It isn't likely that it refers to actual babes and infants. This is the paradox of our faith. God brings forth a kind of innocent truth from anyone who is humble and honest in faith.
I remember a seminary professor telling us that it's not the A students who become the best pastors. It's the B- students who do. At the time that didn't make much sense. Surely he wasn't encouraging us to mediocrity. But now, after a dozen years of ordained ministry I understand quite clearly what he was saying. It's not the polished, well educated, finely tuned sermon that delivers the gospel message. It's the humble honesty of faith from the simple man behind the words.
I remember a seminary professor telling us that it's not the A students who become the best pastors. It's the B- students who do. At the time that didn't make much sense. Surely he wasn't encouraging us to mediocrity. But now, after a dozen years of ordained ministry I understand quite clearly what he was saying. It's not the polished, well educated, finely tuned sermon that delivers the gospel message. It's the humble honesty of faith from the simple man behind the words.
St. Francis is credited with the saying, "At all times preach the gospel, and when necessary use words." The message here is that any faithful person through service, compassion, gentleness etc. is communicating the gospel message by their actions. For St. Francis, every act of kindness is a sermon.
This means all of us, even we pastors, are able to share the gospel of Jesus with others. As a matter of fact, already today, your actions have probably delivered a message or two of good news. For the rest of the day, consider being more deliberate and intentional about it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you have given me faith. Thank you! Allow me the privilege of experiencing for myself the truth in your Psalmists' words today. Amen
