Anyone who’s spent time around children knows that they’re the model of neediness. They need food and water, comfort, protection, and guidance. Adults need these things too, but we try to hide our neediness, seeking self-sufficiency. Children, however, aren’t ashamed of their neediness—and they accept these things from the Lord without the grumbling and negotiation we hear so often from adults in the Old and New Testaments. Often, it’s more accurate to compare ourselves to the discontented Israelites wandering in the wilderness, thankless to the daily provision of God, than to compare ourselves to the children in the Bible.
Throughout Scripture, God sees, hears, and calls out to children specifically, extending himself to each in their need. Imagine being Ishmael, the son of Abraham––who is a wealthy and successful man––and Hagar, his wife’s maidservant. When Abraham has a legitimate son by his wife, you and your mother are turned out into the wilderness with nothing but bread and water. The water runs out and your mother puts you under a bush for shade and sits several paces away from you to cry out to God in her despair. Your mouth is dry, your body burns from the sun, and you feel far away from home, so you cry too. And God hears you (Gen. 21:17–18). He provides a well with drinking water and comforts you and your mother with the promise to make you into a great nation––which he does.
Imagine you’re David, a shepherd boy, the little brother to warriors in the king’s army. You’re obedient to your father and care for his flock (1 Sam. 17). It’s a humble job, but it has its dangers. Wild beasts roam the hills of Israel, but when one attacks your flock, you’re able to stand against it because you trust that God will protect you (1 Sam. 17:34–37). When a giant opposes the king’s forces, you know you can stand against him too, with nothing but a sling and a few stones (1 Sam. 17:40). And God protects you.
Children cry out for what they need, and they trust that their parents will provide. How often do we have this same attitude with our heavenly Father? How often do we cry out to God in our wilderness, or reach out to strike the mouth of our proverbial lions, trusting that he will keep us safe?
We all need the Lord. Like children, we need him for protection, comfort, and provision, and God promises us that these things will be given to those who ask:
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matt. 7:9–11)
This provision is compared to God’s ultimate provision for his children: salvation unto life (Heb. 5:9). God has already provided for our greatest need—he “did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all” (Rom. 8:32). So we can trust in God’s provision for all things, as Jesus assures us: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
