With all the rioting, looting, beating up of innocent people, and in some cases, even killing them, you have to wonder … is there any place where anyone is safe?
Well, I have some good news for you. Heaven will be a safe place for children and if that is the case, then it must be a safe place for everyone.
Listen to what the prophet Zechariah wrote, many years ago — “The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” (Zechariah 8:5)
The New Living Translation is very similar – “And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.”
There is no question but that Jesus loves children. In Mark 10:13-16, we read “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch them and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, ‘Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God as a child will never enter it.’ Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.”
There won’t be any child abuse in heaven. Children will be safe there. God planned it that way. He determined that heaven would be a place where children can play.
In Isaiah 11:8 we read, “The suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
The New Living translation makes it clearer – “The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.” So, God has planned heaven as a place where children will play and play safely.
In that same chapter, we read, “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow.” (Isaiah 11:6-7)
What has been your experience when you have taken your children to the zoo? It is not uncommon that they will want to figure out how to get over the fence to be with the polar bear. Of course, we do everything to keep them safe — But, in heaven, God has planned for children, surrounded by nature, to play safely. What are some of the sounds when children are playing safely? There is laughter. There is a seriousness in their playing. At times, they express pity or concern for another child. They will even choose to defend another child that is weaker.
It is not unusual that in its playing, a child might learn to work at something he or she really enjoys. I wonder how old Jesus was when He was introduced to His dad’s carpenter’s shop? I see him loving the experiences of working side by side with Joseph making furniture and whatever was on the agenda. Children playing learn to make things that bring them great joy and satisfaction.
Something else that comes to mind about children ‘playing in the streets’ is that the streets must be safe. In Isaiah 11:9 we read, “Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.” Lately in the news, we read of little, innocent children being killed by stray bullets or what have you. We hear of children being sexually abused. It won’t be that way in heaven. The Father’s house will be a safe place for everyone. Won’t that be great!
Anna B. Warner wrote these words —
“Jesus loves me! He who died, Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.”
In heaven, we will play and work and worship. It will be a place absolutely safe for us to do all this and more.
Glory to God, Pastor Leonard