An unlikely "bulwark"

"O LORD, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger."

(Psalm 8:1-2)

My wife and I started dating our senior year in high school. We both were Christians, but our families attended different churches. In an effort to make sure neither of our parents thought we had gone to "the dark side," on Sundays we attended BOTH family services. New Hope Christian Fellowship worshipped at 8am. Hilo United Methodist Church worshiped at 10:30am. (Yah, we were at church all morning... but hey, at least we got to sit together and hold hands!)

Jody's church had praise music instead of traditional hymns. One of the earliest songs I remember singing at her church (they met at the Hilo Boys and Girls' Club gymnasium) was as long take from Psalm 8: "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" It was upbeat & catchy... (think 80's Maranatha-style singing!)

I reread Psalm 8 this morning and was transported back to 1986... good memories, for sure! But verse 2 now has an even deeper connection to me. "Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes..."

I love working with children as a pastor. In fact, when I first started as a seminary intern at Madison UMC in NJ, the only thing I was responsible for in the weekly worship service was "Time with the Children." That's always been something I've put my heart and soul into as a pastor. I also get to do Messy Church, Vacation Bible School (VBS), chapel with the preschool children, and stay connected to our Sunday School team of leaders. Ministry with children is of VITAL importance!

I truly believe the prayers of our children are extremely powerful and effective! That's why we've started "PRAYER TIME WITH CHILDREN" twice a week via Zoom, during this "new normal" time of COVID-19. As Psalm 8 says, they ("babes and infants") become a bulwark (fortress, barrier, protection) for the Kingdom of God! May all of us continue to nurture and strengthen their faith!