Traveling Light: Day Three
Day 3: Finding Rest in Childlike Faith
Devotional
There's a profound difference between infantile faith and childlike faith. David captures this beautifully in Psalm 131 when he describes his soul as "a weaned child with its mother." This isn't a nursing infant, demanding to be fed, but a weaned child who has matured enough to simply enjoy the mother's presence. Infantile faith comes to God with demands: "Give me what I want, when I want it, or I'll throw a tantrum." It's transactional and conditional. Childlike faith, however, has learned to trust the Father's heart even when His hands seem empty. It finds contentment not in what God gives, but in who God is. Job exemplified this mature faith when, after losing everything, he fell to the ground in worship saying, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." His faith wasn't dependent on favorable circumstances but was anchored in God's unchanging character. Our world runs on noise—the noise of achievement, anxiety, and self-promotion. We often bring this same restlessness into our relationship with God, approaching Him with our demands and agendas rather than with quiet trust. But God invites us to a different posture: to sit in His presence like a weaned child, content simply to be with Him. Today, practice quieting your soul before God. Set aside your demands and agendas. Rest in His presence not for what He can give you, but simply because He is worthy of your trust and affection.
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” - Job 1:20-21
Reflection Question
How might your relationship with God change if you approached Him less like a demanding infant and more like a content, weaned child who simply enjoys His presence?
"Infantile faith says, I'll trust God as long as he gives me what I want.
But childlike faith says, even if he takes, even if he denies, even if I don't understand. Jesus is enough."
— Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Heavenly Father, quiet my demanding heart today. Teach me to find rest not in what You give me, but in who You are. Help me to mature from infantile faith that makes demands to childlike faith that trusts Your heart even when I don't understand Your ways. May I be content simply to be in Your presence. In Jesus' name, amen.