A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL TO GOD      

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” 

Through the pen of the Psalmist Yahweh promises to “ . . . command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways . . .” (Psalm 91:11) In today’s devotional verse Jesus is quoted as saying children have angels guarding them. He said these angels see the face of Yahweh. (Jesus’ Father.)   

These words continue the message found in Matthew, chapter 18, about the special place children have in the heart of Yahweh and of Jesus Himself. They have special protection including that provided them by heavenly angels.   

Children are the adopted children of God by virtue of their baptism. God gives them the gift of faith through the power of the Gospel, the working of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism to bring them to faith and keep them in the true faith to life everlasting. Thus the words of Romans 8:28-39 include them: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. . . What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . in all . . . things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

Prayer: Praise and thanks to You, heavenly Father, for watching over our children. Amen. 

Children of the heav’nly Father  
Safely in His bosom gather;  
Nestling bird nor star in heaven   
Such a refuge e’er was given. 

God His own doth tend and nourish;  
In His holy courts they flourish.  
From all evil things He spares them;  
In His mighty arms He bears them. 

Neither life nor death shall ever   
From the Lord His children sever;  
Unto them His grace He showeth,  
And their sorrows all He knoweth. 

Though He giveth or He taketh,   
God His children ne’er forsaketh;  
His the loving purpose solely  
To preserve them pure and holy.  

Children of the Heavenly Father // LSB 725