Seventh-Day Adventist Devotional For Children: “Cursing And Throwing Stones”

*DAILY BREAD – A DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Saturday, May 21, 2022

*Topic: Cursing and Throwing Stones*

_As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!” 2 Samuel 16:7_

Some people made King David and his loyal followers suffer a lot.
This story took place while David was fleeing because his son Absalom was trying to take over the throne. As David and his officials left Jerusalem and approached another town, a relative of the former king, Saul, comes out and curses David, saying, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!” And he pelts David and his officials with stones. Contrary to the childhood rhyme “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me” , words do hurt. Justified or not, unkind comments can leave us insecure and ineffective. However, Dwelling on hurtful words gives them more power than they have on their own.
One of David’s military leaders complains about this humiliation. But David says, “If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ . . . My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse ¬today.” David’s reaction models a healthy response to unjust ridicule. David admitted that all this trouble, from Absalom’s treason to Shimei’s cursing, could be God’s punishment on him for his wrongdoings. David understood he had done many things wrong. And in his repentance, he trusted God to forgive him and care for him.
We can do the same. We may have to face consequences for our actions, but God will also refresh us with his forgiveness and care.

*Song*
Teach, me, Father, what to say;
Teach me, Father, how to pray;
Teach me all along the way
How to be like Jesus.

*Refrain* :
I would be like Jesus,
I would be like Jesus!
Help me, Lord, to daily grow
More and more like Jesus!

*Prayer*
Lord, guide us with your wisdom to be like salt and light in this world. We are far from perfect, but help us to point others to you even in our times of distress, In Jesus’ name, Amen.