Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones;

for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always

behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10

 

        The disciples want to know who is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven and Jesus shows them a child. He tells them to be like a child and not to despise the children among them. As I understand it, He is saying their angels are always on guard for them ready to ask God to intervene. Always: without fail, from Cain until the last child who will be born there will be an angel watching over that child. Always.

         Not too long ago I read the story of a young man who was abused by his mother. She claimed God told her to beat her boys. I believe as his angel beheld the face of God, it saw tears due to this untruth spoken by mental illness and the pain inflicted on the child. As you can imagine the beatings broke the boy’s spirit and he wanted nothing to do with God.  Many years later the angel saw God smile. Today my friend says he’s lucky to be alive and gives the credit to God. Yeah, God is smiling at this man’s faith despite his childhood. And his children’s angels see a loving family and safe, happy boys and girls.

        Before this verse Jesus also says to be humble like a child. I can’t help but think He’s also admonishing us not to look down on the humble. He called them blessed at the Sermon on the Mount, His first recorded sermon after His temptation in the desert. Humble is not always esteemed in this society but it should be.

         Humble child of God, do you feel despised? Take heart, remember what the angels do: always watch. They watch always.