God’s Heart for Children

Most of the references to children in God’s word are children in need of help (miracles). There are more than 70 references in over 300 verses to children with needs. They were destitute children, children who were doomed to death, children who were put to death, demonized children, children who were eaten, diseased children, and dead children. Also, most of the references to children in the Bible are children living in single parent homes (fatherless children). Whereas the scriptures make only about a dozen references to children who had no apparent need such as the boy with the fish and loaves that were used to feed the 5,000.

All miracles and acts of kindness addressing children in need in God’s word were the results of caring adults interceding and intervening on their behalf. No child in the Bible initiated or requested the actions and miracles performed on them. There is only one instance in God’s word where children even participated in the miracle performed on their behalf (2Kings 4:1-7). In all other instances, the children neither initiated nor participated in the miracles performed on them.

Sadly, most children with critical needs in God’s word were not helped. Perhaps they were not helped because there was no adult who interceded or intervened for them. Of the new-born and toddler boys who were doomed to death under Pharaoh and Herod, only two were recorded as being saved because of adults who intervened. Only three demonized children were recorded as being set free because of adults who interceded and intervened on their behalf leaving one to wonder about all the other children left in a state of oppression. Furthermore, there were instances of children who were helped because of the intervention of someone other than a parent. All the Jewish children in all 127 provinces of the Persian empire were under threat of annihilation had it not been for the intervention of Mordecai and Esther. There were also children in the desolate city of Jerusalem who were being sold into slavery because they were used as collateral for the family debt but were delivered due to Nehemiah’s intervention.

All miracles involving children in God’s word resulted in an improvement in their lives. Doomed children were delivered, demonized children were set free, dead children were restored to life, diseased children were cured, hungry children were fed. Again, all due to caring adults who interceded and intervened on their behalf.

The implication and application for God’s educators are apparent. Many of the nation’s schools are populated by children in need of help. There are children who are academically disenfranchised, culturally diverse and disesteemed, and economically disadvantaged. They can be characterized as A.C.E. students.  These children need caring educators to intercede and intervene on their behalf. There is no law against interceding and intervening for children in need no matter where they attend school. Just as there is no law against caring for children. As such, God’s educators should lead the way in making a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need because no one should be able to out-care God’s people since His love resides in their hearts. At the same time, there is no child beyond the ability to be helped because ultimately it hinges on God’s ability (His miracles).

The result should be a before-and-as-a-result of; children with needs have their needs met. Under educated children are well educated. Under served children are served well. Under nurtured children are relationally nurtured. Under resourced children are provided what they need to fare well. Culturally deficient children are enriched culturally. A Christian educator filled with God’s Spirit and armed with the transformational love of God can make a transformational difference in the lives of children in need.

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