Read Psalm 8:1-2

No doubt about it! Psalm 8 is one of my favorites – especially verse 2:  “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” Talk about a great reminder of both the simplicity and grandeur of worshiping our Creator!

I love the words to an anthem that our choir used to sing: “O Lord, our God, the majesty and glory of your name; transcends the earth and fills the heavens. O Lord, our God; little children praise You perfectly, And so would we.”

It’s such a delight when my grandchildren sing worship songs which they’ve been taught by their parents or that they’ve learned at church. My wife has taught them (and hundreds of other kids) to worship God by singing, “Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds. And nothing I desire compares with You.”  That brings tears to my eyes!

So what can you and I learn from children about worship? Let me suggest the following things…

1. Children worship with a great sense of wonder. Have you walked outside on a starry night with a five-year-old recently? As you looked into the sky together, you both probably exclaimed, “Wow!” One of the tragedies of life is that we lose that sense of wonder as we get older. This psalm prods us back to the wonder of God’s creative power all around us.
2. Children also worship God with a great sense of energy. Children at Grace Church have learned much about worshipping God from energetic leaders like Pastor Randy Moomaw and his sons, Kyle and Tyler. It’s common to hear children singing loudly when I walk past a classroom on Sunday morning. I love that!! The Apostle Paul wrote: “Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you. God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure” (Phil. 2:12b-13 MSG). Too often I’ve watched adults who are supposed to be worshiping God look like they ate pickles for breakfast.  What a tragedy!
3. Children also worship God with a great sense of trust. That’s why a toddler will jump into your arms in a swimming pool! They trust easily. Jesus said we need that same kind of trust in God: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven“ (Matthew 18: 3b NIV).

So, as you go through this day, ask yourself: “Is my worship of my Creator characterized by that same sense of wonder, energy, and trust?”  If not, why not?

Bob Fetterhoff