SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN: “Kindness”

*DAILY BREAD: A DEVOTIONAL FOR THE CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries Department

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Wednesday, December 01, 2021

*Topic: Kindness*

“ _Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” 2 Samuel 9:3_

David could have destroyed all of Saul’s family after becoming the king over Israel. But he didn’t. He wouldn’t return hatred for hatred.

It’s remarkable that David chose to act with grace instead of malice. As he tried to do “what was just and right for all his people,” David honored his friendship with Jonathan and showed mercy to the house of Saul.

Through a servant of Saul’s household, David learned that Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, had survived and that he was lame in both feet.

Showing kindness to Mephibo¬sheth must have turned some heads among David’s subjects. People were likely shocked when David restored all of Saul’s land to Mephibosheth and invited him to eat at the king’s table.

In this way David went beyond the boundaries of friendship with Jonathan’s son. Despite his disability and his tarnished pedigree, Mephibosheth was included “as one of the king’s sons.” David showed kindness that went beyond tolerance. David knew what dehumanization had done to him, and he aimed to live God’s way instead.

When people make your life hard, God wants you to love them and pray for them instead of hating them. Love is God’s response to anger and hatred. He wants you to share his love with everyone in your life, even those who seem hard to love.

*Song*
If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, “You’re going the wrong way”

Chorus
You’ve got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don’t walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

*Prayer*
Lord, prompt me to show kindness to everyone and to do what is right in all my relationships. Remind me of my own need for your grace, and help me show your love to others. Amen