Kids Bible Devotional for December 17, 2024
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Focus Verse
Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NLT)
Jump Start
I read somewhere, “There is a story behind every person that makes them the way they are. Treat them with kindness.” Good advice. Let’s find out why.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” The Golden Rule, and the words of Jesus from His famous Sermon on the Mount. Often, this is easier said than done. But what is behind this principle? In a word, love.
Recall the fruit of the Spirit that Paul lists in Galatians 5:22. He begins with love and includes such things as gentleness, longsuffering, kindness, and self-control. These are demonstrations of love that can only come by the Holy Spirit. His love in us is expressed in how we treat ourselves and others.
Today's Devotion
When Matthew’s father arrived home, his mother gave him some upsetting news. “We got a letter from the homeowner’s association today informing us that our grass is too high. We have five days to cut it, or we will be fined $100.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Dad said, scanning the letter she handed him.
“I wish I was,” she said.
“I planned to mow this weekend. I haven’t been able to do it sooner because of the shutdown at the plant this month. I’ve had to work a lot of overtime.”
“I bet it was Old Mrs. Wallaby behind us,” Matthew chimed in. “She’s always complaining to neighbors about their yards when she’s out walking her dog. She’s the one who called the cops on my birthday party because we were being too loud.”
“It probably was her,” Dad said. “She gave me an earful about the grass a couple of days ago when I was leaving for work. I should go talk to her.”
“That’s right, Dad.” Matthew pumped his fist. “Go over there and give her a piece of your mind.”
Thirty minutes later, Dad returned home. “Well, did you set her straight?” Matthew asked.
“No, Matt. That was not my intention. I went over there to apologize and just listen.”
Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Apologize? But you did nothing wrong.”
“Do you think Jesus would have given her a piece of His mind? Of course not. Instead, we talked. She told me that when her husband was alive thirty years ago, the neighbors had dinner parties and cookouts. Most of those neighbors have passed away or moved away.”
“She’s just lonely,” Mom said.
“You’re right,” Dad said. “And she never had any children, and most of her family lives out of state. She’s alone.”
“Oh, my,” Mom said. “I should have dropped in to say hello.”
“You’ll have a chance to say hello soon. I invited her over for dinner this weekend. And I promised her I’d have the yard mowed before then.”
Wrap Up
Some of the most compassionate words Jesus ever spoke were from the cross. He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Moreover, as the religious leaders stoned Stephen in Acts 7, the church’s first martyr, he cried out as he died, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
In a world bent on getting even, it seems illogical to treat those that disrespect us with respect. However, in God’s world, there is power and favor in humility.
The next time you feel the urge to lash out at someone who has offended you, remember there is a story for why they are the way they are. Show them what a life looks like that has been rewritten by God’s grace.
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