Kids Bible Devotional for August 29, 2024
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Focus Verse
1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. (NLT)
Jump Start
Lord, I know you said, “Vengeance is mine.” But, is there a chance I can give you a hand in that department?
So often, we want to help God out in the justice department. This is particularly true when we feel embarrassed, attacked, or offended by somebody. But why does God reserve vengeance for Himself? That’s because only He knows when judgment or mercy is required. He expects that we trust Him to do what’s right.
Douglas Horton, a clergyman and academic leader of the early to mid-twentieth century, said, “While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.” What he meant by this is that taking revenge on another person hurts you more than the other person.
Our ultimate example is Jesus Christ. Despite all the good He did, He was by far the most undeserving person to receive punishment He did. Yet, He harmed no man in return.
Today's Devotion
Noah sat in his room playing video games when his mother marched in and turned off the console without a word. Noah stared at the blank screen in disbelief.
“Why did you do that?” Noah asked, panicking. “I was in the middle of a new level.”
“I just got off the phone with Tommy’s mom,” she said matter-of-factly. “Would you like to know what we talked about?”
Noah dropped his head. “It was probably about his black eye,” he said.
“Ding! Ding! Ding! Noah wins a prize – a free, all-bills-paid week grounded from video games, starting now. Care to tell me why you hit him?”
“Because he kept making fun of me and calling me names.”
Mom folded her arms. “And?”
“He called me a ‘Do-gooder church boy,’ and accused me of thinking I was better than everybody else. He embarrassed me in front of my friends. I had to teach him a lesson.”
“Son, you could have just walked away. Would you have expected Jesus to have punched the Pharisee for calling Him Beelzebub because He cast out demons? Or, would you have expected Jesus to have given Judas a black eye for betraying him?”
“Of course not,” Noah said.
“Then what gives you the right to pass judgment on Tommy with a swift jab in the eye?”
“I suppose I didn’t have the right,” Noah admitted. “It was wrong of me to do that. He just made me so mad.”
“When you think about it, in a roundabout way, Tommy was giving you a compliment. Up until you punched him, he had noticed your commitment to Jesus.”
“I guess I blew that,” Noah said.
“Maybe. Maybe not. An apology can go a long way. But you must learn to control your temper. Learn to let some things go and let God sort them out. Who knows? Maybe Tommy was feeling convicted but didn’t know how to handle it.”
“I will tell Tommy I’m sorry first thing in the morning.” Noah handed his mother the game controller. He glanced at the half-read novel on his nightstand. “I guess now I’ll have time to finish my book.”
Wrap Up
Some may mock you for what you believe, but don’t let it bother you. They don’t appreciate God like you do. They cannot understand His goodness. Yet!
The verse that follows our theme verse for today reads, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” Jesus understood that there was a higher reason for the injustices He suffered.
If you feel attacked for your faith, don’t be discouraged. Hold your chin up high, keep the faith, and pray for those who despise you. They may need you at some point to introduce them to Jesus.
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