Seventh-Day Adventist Devotional For Children: “Celebrate Not The Fall Of Your Enemy”
DAILY BREAD – DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN
EASTERN NIGERIA UNION CONFERENCE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Wednesday, January 24, 2023
Topic: Celebrate not the fall of your enemy
” Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth. Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him and turn away his wrath from him” (Proverbs 24:17-18).
What does this mean for us? It’s a lesson about love and forgiveness. Sometimes, when someone does something unkind to us, we might feel happy when they face troubles or difficulties. However, the Bible teaches us that we should not take joy in the misfortune of others. Well, it’s all about love and kindness.
Instead, we are encouraged to show love and forgiveness. Imagine if someone rejoiced when we were having a tough time – it wouldn’t feel good, right? God wants us to be kind and understanding, even to those who might not treat us well.
Here are a couple of important things to remember:
- Be Compassionate, Not Happy in Misfortune: If someone does something unkind, don’t feel happy if something bad happens to them. God wants us to be compassionate and understand that everyone makes mistakes.
- Leave Vengeance to God: Don’t try to get back at someone who hurt you. God is the one who will take care of things. Instead of being mean, show love, justice, and mercy. If you try to get even, God might turn away His protection from them.
When we forgive others and show kindness, it pleases God. It’s like a warm light that brightens our hearts and helps us grow closer to Him. So, let’s remember to be quick to forgive, slow to rejoice in others’ troubles, and always ready to share God’s love.
Remember what Jesus said, “Do to others what God wants you to do to them.” Even if someone seems like an enemy, treat them with love and kindness. We all make mistakes, so be careful not to be proud. The Bible reminds us, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Thought for Reflection
Think about a time when someone may have treated you unkindly. How did it make you feel? Reflect on the importance of forgiveness and showing love, even when faced with challenges. Try to show kindness to someone who may have treated you poorly. It could be a classmate, a friend, or a family member. Take a step towards forgiveness and see how it positively impacts your own heart.
Song
Chief of sinners though I be
Jesus shed His blood for me
Died that I might live on high
Died that I might never die
As the branch is to the vine
I am His and He is mine.
O the height of Jesus’ love
Higher than the heaven above
Deeper than the deepest see
Lasting as eternity
Love that found me wondrous thought
Found me when I sought him not.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, help us embrace the wisdom found in Proverbs and help us to be kind and forgiving, just like you are to us. Guide us in moments of difficulty, reminding us to extend grace just as You have shown us. May our actions reflect Your love, and may we grow closer to You through acts of kindness and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
