Intro: When we have a right relationship with God through Christ and are seeking to be led by the Spirit, every day brings along little spiritual victories even if we are not aware of them. Our faith is active and moving. God is good and with Christ as Lord of our lives, we are filled with his presence and that makes believers more than conquerors in the world.
Believers are on the same page when it comes to Christ’s authority and victorious Kingdom living; we all must come with childlike faith and trust. Every victory, whether small or large, is important to God and makes a difference for the Kingdom. The only thing that can stand in our way of experiencing miraculous victories is spiritual pride. Do you have childlike faith?
Leading up to our passage today, seventy-two disciples return from a mission directed by the Lord. The disciples had been sent out to other towns in pairs—as lambs among wolves—to heal the sick and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now’ (Luke 10:8). They followed Jesus’ instructions. The disciples return filled with joy over the victories they had over demons, because Jesus had given them authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:18). Although Jesus rejoices with them, he wants them to focus on what should fill them with the greatest joy: their names are registered in heaven” (Luke 10:17-18).
In our passage today, Jesus takes time to pray and thank the Father for allowing the childlike to experience the power of the Kingdom. Jesus thanks the Father for his plan, because everyone who knows the Son can be victorious. Truly, if we did not have childlike faith, we would never go out and mingle with wolves, would we?
Luke 10:21-24 NLT Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving
21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.
22 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving believers the privilege of joining you in ministry to the world. Help us live each day with childlike faith, knowing every day can bring the Kingdom closer to earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.