Seventh-Adventist Church Devotional: “God Is Not Punishing You”

DAILY BREAD – DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN

EASTERN NIGERIA UNION CONFERENCE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Title: God Is Not Punishing You

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. Jonah 4:1

Have you ever been upset when someone got away with something you thought was really bad? Maybe someone hurt your feelings, and then they apologized and everything was okay, but you still felt upset about it. This is a bit like how Jonah felt in today’s story.

God told Jonah to go to a place called Nineveh. The people in Nineveh were doing many wrong things, and God wanted them to stop. Jonah didn’t want to go because the people of Nineveh were very mean to others, including Jonah’s people. But Jonah finally obeyed God and told the people that God was angry with them and that they needed to change their ways.

Surprisingly, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah, and they stopped doing bad things. Instead of punishing them, God forgave them! But Jonah wasn’t happy. He thought, “These people have done so many terrible things. How could God just forgive them?” Jonah was angry that God gave them another chance.

God showed Jonah something very important – what Jonah didn’t understand: God loves everyone, and He wants people to turn away from doing wrong. When they do, God is always ready to forgive them. That’s how big God’s love is! It doesn’t matter how bad someone’s mistakes or actions are—if they say sorry and really mean it, God will forgive them. He can forgive anything, even things we might find hard to forgive. Jonah was upset because he didn’t think it was fair. But God wants us to be happy when people turn from doing wrong and try to do better. God doesn’t want to punish; He wants them to turn from their mistakes and live better and happy lives.

This shows us that just like Jonah, we can sometimes feel upset when God forgives others, but God wants us to learn to forgive, too, and to be joyful when someone gets another chance! God’s love is like a lifeline, lifting us up when we’re lost and helping us forgive others when it’s hard.

Thought for Reflection
God’s forgiveness is bigger than anything we can imagine. Even when we think someone doesn’t deserve another chance, God is ready to forgive them if they are truly sorry. We need to remember that God forgives us, too, and wants us to show that same kindness and forgiveness to others.

Activity
Think of a time when someone hurt your feelings but later apologized. How did it feel to forgive them? Write down how you think God feels when He forgives us. Share it with someone you trust.

Song
Forgive our sins as we forgive,
You taught us, Lord, to pray;
But You alone can grant us grace
To live the words we say.

How can Your pardon reach and bless
The unforgiving heart
That broods on wrongs and will not let
Old bitterness depart?
Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
And bid resentment cease;
Then, bound to all in bonds of love,
Our lives will spread Your peace.

Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your amazing love and forgiveness. Help me understand that Your love is for everyone and that You are always ready to forgive us when we are sorry for what we’ve done. Teach me not to get angry when others are forgiven, but to have hearts that are kind and joyful when they turn from doing wrong. Please teach us to forgive others, just as You forgive us, even when it’s hard. Fill our hearts with joy when we see others change for the better. Thank You for always forgiving me, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.