Matthew 11:25-26 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

It struck me just now from verse 26 that Jesus might not have thought about this until He said it. God reveals His truth to us in various ways. As Jesus says here, it isn’t on the basis of our “mental horsepower,” but by His sovereign, gracious, choice. I have personally experienced God speaking to me by what He was saying through me. In other words, I didn’t know it until I said it, or wrote it. That isn’t at all a case of, “If I said it, it’s true.” Rather, it’s an example of the reality that we often can’t grasp things until we articulate them. The “wise and understanding” generally don’t like to say things they don’t already know, so their minds and hearts can be closed to fresh revelation. Adults can be convinced of things that aren’t true, or at the least aren’t complete. That’s why Jesus said repeatedly that we have to be like little children to enter His kingdom. (Matthew 18:3, Luke 18:7) Just yesterday I heard a talk by a man who has been very instrumental in Japan’s rocket industry, and he talked about how he likes to hire people straight out of high school who maybe didn’t even do well in school, but they have curiosity and drive, a dream that pulls them on. He said that if something’s never been done before, nobody can teach you how to do it! It was a very challenging, inspiring talk, particularly since the majority of the audience was students. We do need to be careful that we don’t abandon Biblical teaching in our search for the “new.” Those who do that quickly get mired in the lies the devil has been telling since the Garden of Eden. However, we aren’t to be limited by the theological boxes that various people and groups have built. God is by definition bigger than any box ever could be!

I long ago lost count of how many times God has shown me things by having me say them or write them. It happens with some regularity with my morning devotions! That’s why writing things out – journaling, as some people call it – is very helpful indeed. I’ve been called a geek for doing my devotions with a computer, but my handwriting is slow and sometimes illegible! I have indeed had times when God showed His love to me in ways that are beyond words, but those have been the exception. God gave me a gift for words, and His gifts are always to be used as He intends. I am to speak and write as He directs, both for the sake of my listeners and readers and for my own sake, and always for His glory. Again, I’m never to think or feel that because I said it, that makes it true. I am to be humbly submitted to my Lord and allow Him to correct my misunderstandings, however He might choose to do it. There is so much more of Him than I can grasp, so I am to rejoice in whatever He chooses to reveal to me.

Father, thank You for this clear Word this morning. The devil doesn’t want me writing, and he distracts me in countless ways. Help me focus on what You have for me so that I won’t miss anything You want to say to me or through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!