Seventh-Day Adventist Devotional For Children: “The God Of Justice Also Of Blessings”

*DAILY BREAD – A DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN*

Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Children’s Ministries

*THEME: I WILL GO*

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

_Topic: The God of Justice also of Blessings_

_Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 1 Kings 1:11–12_

Nathan was the prophet God had sent to confront King David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. And here, years later, at a very critical time for the nation of Israel, Nathan was again called into service by the Lord. David was approaching the end of his life, and his son, Adonijah, jumped at the opportunity to claim the throne for himself.
But it was David’s second son with Bathesheba, Solomon, who was to reign after David. So the prophet Nathan acted quickly, directing Bathsheba to go to David and tell him that Adonijah had proclaimed himself king. Nathan then followed her and confirmed her words to David. Nathan was careful to warn Bathsheba of her own peril. In the ancient mid-east, potential claimants to the throne and their families were put to death.
This was a strange twist in the road of life for this prophet. Nathan was sent to the same woman he had confronted David about, but this time to save her and her son Solomon. This man of God, who had brought a message of judgment, now brought mercy and grace. Nathan had correctly foretold that because of David’s sin, “the sword [would] never depart from” his family, but here God sent Nathan to soften the blow of that very prophecy. Under the blessing of God, David and Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, would reign as Israel’s king. The God of justice is the very same God of blessing. How we need to stay close to the Lord as we travel through this journey called life.

*Song*
Nearer, still nearer, close to thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior, so precious thou art.
Fold me, O fold me close to thy breast;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest,
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

*Prayer*
“LORD, please give us mercy, forgiveness, and grace this day.”