The Way Back

Today is MOTHER'S DAY!  Have you thanked your mom (or caregiver)

for all the things she does for you?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

TO CHEW ON: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

After Solomon had finished the temple, he built a luxurious palace for himself. One night when both those projects were done, God appeared to him again.


“I heard your prayer and chose your temple,” He said. Then God gave Solomon some advice. “Keep my laws like David your father did. Worship only me. If you do this, kings will always come from your family.

“But if you turn away from me and start worshiping idols, bad things will happen.”

1. Pick out the three bad things God named in 2 Chronicles 7:20:

A. I will send Israel back to Egypt to be slaves.
B. I will uproot Israel from my land.
C. I will reject this temple.
D. I will burn your palace.
E. I will make this temple an object of ridicule.

Then God told Solomon if he and the people went away from God, there was a way back.
2. Unscramble the words, below, that tell how Solomon, the Israelites and us how to come back to God if we stray (2 Chronicles 7:14):

A. lebmuh evlesshmte : __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

B. ypar: __ __ __ __

C. ekes my ecfa: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

D. nrtu mfro icwkde aswy: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Do you feel far away from God? Do the four things God told Solomon long ago. They are still the way back to Him.

PRAYER: Dear God, the wrong things in my life make me feel far away from you. Help me to admit I’m wrong, to pray, to find out what pleases You, and to stop sinning. Amen.

MORE: Repent
When we follow God’s advice to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we repent.

1. Look up the word “repent” in a dictionary. What does it mean?

2. Using a Bible concordance or the internet, find three Bible verses with the word “repent” in them. Write out your favorite on a paper and put it up where you can see it and read it often.

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Thank-you Glory Cloud

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God." 2 Chronicles 5:13b,14

At last the temple was finished. It was time to move the gold furniture and ark into their places. It was time to begin worshiping God in the temple. Solomon had kept his promise to his father. He had made the temple exactly like his dad had said. Now he wondered, would God be pleased with what he had done?

Solomon announced a holiday festival to dedicate the temple. People came from all over the country to celebrate. Priests and Levites got themselves ready to move the furniture. On the big day crowds lined the street and watched as the Levites carried the ark and the gold altar, lamp stands, basins, and all the other furniture from the tent David had made, to the temple.

When they arrived at the temple, they placed the ark in the gold-lined Holy Place.

Then they put all the other furniture where it belonged. As the carrying Levites left the temple the musical Levites played trumpets and cymbals while the choir sang: “He is Good. His love endures forever.”

Suddenly a cloud filled the temple. It was a glorious, awesome, frightening cloud of God’s presence. Solomon prayed a dedication prayer.

As he ended, “Now arise, O Lord God, and come to Your resting place...” fire came down from heaven. It burnt the sacrifices that were on the altar. God’s presence was so powerful the priests couldn’t even go back into the temple.

Now Solomon knew that God was pleased with the temple he had built. His obedience was rewarded with God’s presence in a thank-you glory cloud.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to obey You so that Your glory can shine through my life. Amen

MORE: Faith Steps

When we obey God and do the things He asks of us, even if we don’t have any idea how they will turn out, we act in faith.

1. What did Solomon do in faith? ____________

2. How did God reward Solomon’s faith? _________________

3. What special thing is God asking you to do? ________________

Will you do it? As you obey, watch for God to send His glory and favor on your life.

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

A House For God

 TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Kings 5:1-7

TO CHEW ON: "I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God as the Lord told my father, David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my name.'” 1 Kings 5:5


When Solomon had been king for four years, he decided it was time to keep the promise he’d made to his dad and build a house for God.

He contacted King Hiram of Tyre to get permission to cut down huge cedar and pine trees. He called up thousands of men to work. Some felled trees.


Others worked in quarries cutting boulders into square building stones. Many moved the wood and stone blocks to Jerusalem. Still others worked in Jerusalem, putting the temple together.

After the gigantic stones were in place, workmen covered the walls with wood. They made floors, so that the temple was three stories high. They made the sanctuary – the room where the ark would sit – extra special, covering all the walls and ceiling with gold. Workmen carved beautiful decorations of fruits and flowers for the temple and made fifteen-foot high angel statues to decorate the sanctuary.


After seven years the temple was finished. Solomon built God’s house exactly like his father David’s plans. It was as beautiful as he could make it.


We no longer worship God in only one place, like the temple Solomon built. Though we may go to church, the building where we worship God is not the important thing. For when we ask Jesus to forgive our sin, He comes and lives inside of us. Paul wrote this to the Christians in Corinth. He said: “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

Are you a pure and beautiful place for God to live?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to make myself a beautiful home for You. Amen.


MORE: Promise keepers and breakers.
Do you make promises? Do you keep them?

Solomon promised his dad he would make the temple. He kept his promise, even though his dad was no longer alive to see.

Many Bible characters made promises. Some kept their promises while others didn’t. Mark the statements below with ✔ if the promise was kept, an X if it was broken. (Look up the references if you’re not sure.)

1. ___ After the plague of hail Pharaoh promised the Israelites they could leave Egypt. (Exodus 9:28,35)

2. ___ The Jericho spies promised Rahab they would rescue her family and her family. (Joshua 6:25)

3. ___ The Israelites promised the Gibeonites they wouldn’t fight against them.(Joshua 9:26,27)

4. ___ Laban promised Jacob he could marry Rachel after working seven years for her. (Genesis 29:21-24)

5. ___ Hannah promised God to give her son Samuel to Him.(1 Samuel 1:28)

6. Who keeps all His promises? _________ (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

S** - It's a Good Thing

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Song of Songs 2:8-13.

TO CHEW ON: "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Song of Songs 2:11,12

Have you ever had a crush on someone? Though you are too young to fall in love and get married, the attraction of boys to girls and girls to boys is how God made you. The two sexes, male and female, need to come together to make babies so human life will continue.

Though having sex has become a dirty idea to many, it isn’t a bad thing. Sex was invented by God so that people could have companionship and make new families. It is a very good thing – with the right person and in the right time. (Genesis 2:24)



Q: Who is the right person?
A: Your husband or wife.

Q: What is the right time?
A: After you are married.


The Song of Songs is a poem written by Solomon about love between a man and a woman. It is full of joy, hope, new life and celebration. It shows us that God knows all about sex and has made it a good thing.

PRAYER: Dear God, please prepare and keep me for the person I will someday marry. Amen

MORE: Hope Chest
Do you hope to get married someday?
- What character traits do you imagine your future wife or husband will have?

- What things do you think you will enjoy doing together?

- What do you imagine your family will be like?

Do you realize that your future husband or wife is probably alive somewhere right now? You could pray for that person. Pray:
- That God will bless them.
- That God will prepare them for you.
- That God will keep both of you pure for each other.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Lazy

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 24:30-34

TO CHEW ON: "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24:33,34

What does it mean to be lazy? Read what a dictionary says.

Below are some ways people might act. Which of these actions could you mark with an L to show the person might be lazy?

1. ___ Begins work on the assignment right away, even though it’s not due for a week.
2. ___ Shoves things under the bed and in the closet when cleaning his room.
3. ___ Spends all day in front of the TV.
4. ___ Keeps her garden plot free of weeds.
5. ___ Never folds or hangs up her clothes.
6. ___ Does all his jobs as soon as he gets home from school.
7. ___ Hides half of his papers in the park so he won’t have to deliver them.


A. We can often tell a person is lazy by the look of his possessions. What does the lazy person’s field look like? (Proverbs 24:31) ______ What might his bedroom look like? His school locker?

B. We can tell a person is lazy by how he spends his time. What does a lazy person like to do? (Proverbs 24:33) _________ What might a lazy kid like to do?


C. How the lazy person’s life turns out. What will be the result of living a life of laziness? (Proverbs 24:34) _________

A workaholic is someone who is opposite of lazy. He likes to work all the time. Working all the time isn’t wise either. God has made us to need rest.

But we can rest too much. If all we do is spend all our time resting and avoiding work we are lazy. This isn’t wise either.

Are you lazy? Ask God to show you. Then ask Him to give you the desire and energy to work.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to get over my laziness and discover the blessing of work. Amen.


MORE: Slothful
Another word for lazy is “slothful.” It’s a word that comes from the name an animal – the sloth.

1. Find out about the sloth from books or the internet.

2. Why do you think this animal was chosen to describe laziness or a lazy person?

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Parent Problems

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 23:19-25

TO CHEW ON: "Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22

Have you ever had thoughts like this:

- My parents are too serious. They just want me to work and not have any fun.

- My parents are old fashioned. They don’t understand me and my friends.

- My parents don’t let me do anything. All my friends are allowed to do it, why can’t I?

Kids getting along with parents, and parents getting along with kids has been a big deal since kids and parents were invented. In our Bible reading today, Solomon gives advice to kids on how to handle all the do's and don’t's that parents give.

Which things he does not say Proverbs 23:19-25 :

1. Don’t join those who overeat and drink a lot of wine.

2. As long as there’s an adult to supervise, you can go.

3. Be disciplined.

4. Make a project out of becoming wise and getting understanding.

5. You become like the people with whom you hang out.

6. It isn’t a big deal to your parents whether or not you obey them.

7. When you show yourself a wise, good person, you’ll make your parents proud and happy.

Though it may be natural for kids and their parents to have some clashes, it’s important to remember a few things about your parents before you ignore what they say:

1. They know you very well. They have taken care of you for years and have lived with you in good times and bad.

2. They love you very much. Your parents work hard to provide food, clothes and a house for you and want only your best.

3. They have more experience than you have. They may have made some of the same mistakes they see you making. By giving you advice, they may be trying to save you from trouble.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to value, respect, obey and love my parents. Amen.

MORE: My parents

Appreciate the parents you have.

1. Write five things you like/love about your mother.

2. Write five things you like/love about your dad.

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Speech Problems

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 10:18-21, 31-32

TO CHEW ON: The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. Proverbs 10:32

Solomon wrote many proverbs about speech. He knew that no matter how beautiful a person was, or how much money they had, or what kind of home they lived in, their speech showed what they were really like. It showed whether they were good or bad, righteous or evil, wise or foolish.

All these years later, things haven’t changed. Our speech still shows what is in our hearts and minds. It tells the world around us whether we are wise (have good sense, good judgment and understanding) or foolish (lack good sense, good judgment and understanding).

Below (1-6) are some of Solomon’s proverbs about speech from Proverbs 10. Pick the way you’d say each proverb in today’s language (A to F).

For example, Number 1 (Whoever spreads slander is a fool) would match with C (Hurting someone with lies and gossip is foolish).

1. Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

2. When words are many, sin is not absent.

3. He who holds his tongue is wise.

4. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.

5. The lips of the righteous nourish many.

6. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting.

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A. The words of a good person have value.

B. A good person knows the right thing to say.

C. Hurting someone with lies and gossip is foolish.

D. Good words feed your spirit.

E. It’s easy to sin when you talk a lot.

F. It’s wise to keep your mouth shut.

What’s your speech like? Is it helpful and worth listening to? Is it positive and encouraging? Or is it dirty and unhelpful, full of lies and gossip. Do you know when to stop talking or remain silent altogether? Ask God to make you a person of wise speech.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me use my tongue with wisdom. Amen

MORE: Wise Speech Banner

Make a banner about wise speech.

What you need:

-Mural paper cut into a strip 12 x 36 inches, or 3 - 4 sheets of 8½ x 11 inch paper taped together to make one long sheet.

- pencils, crayons, markers, paints

What you do:

1. Choose your favorite proverb about speech. Use the proverbs above or find one among these:

Proverbs 12:18, or 12:22 or 15:1 or 16:24 or 26:20

2. Write the proverb you picked on the banner and decorate it with crayons, markers or paints.

3. Display the banner in your room, or somewhere where you’ll see and read it often.

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Wisdom Search

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Proverbs 2:1-15

TO CHEW ON: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6


In the Bible book of Proverbs we have many of Solomon’s wise sayings. They help us learn the wise thing to do in all kinds of times and places. Many proverbs are about speech. Others tell us how to treat people. Still others give advice on how to handle money and possessions.

Today’s reading in Proverbs 2 talks us about wisdom itself and explains where true wisdom is found. Where? Choose one (Proverbs 2:6)

University    Science    the Lord

Our parents    Life experience

If we accept that true wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from God (the Lord) we might have another question - Where do we find that wisdom?

Jesus told a story about where to find God’s wisdom and how to make it part of our lives. He had just given a long talk where He had taught many things (Matthew 5,6,7). Then He told this story:

Everyone who hears the things I have taught and does them is like a man who builds his house on a rock. When the storms come, it stands solid because it has a good foundation. But everyone who hears the things I have taught but doesn’t do them is like a man who builds his house on sand. When the storm comes, because his house has no foundation, it is flattened.

Jesus is saying that a wise life is built on His words and teachings. Of course we can’t hear Jesus’ words with our ears. But we can read them and many other things about God and what pleases Him in our Bibles. When we read and do what He says, it’s like building our house (or our life) on the rock of true wisdom.

But if we read and then don’t obey, it’s like building our life on the sand of foolishness. Our lives may stand up just fine when everything is going well. But when trouble comes, they will be wrecked.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to live a wise life by hearing and following Your words. Amen

MORE: Where wisdom startsThe world around us is full of voices telling us what to believe and how to live. Some of the things we hear are lies. Some of the things we hear are half-truths. And some things we hear are true.

But there is one place we can go where everything is wise and true. This place is God and His words, the Bible. Here is a verse that talks about this place. You might want to memorize it to remind you of the place where wisdom begins.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.



Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Made Things and the Maker

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 4:29-34

TO CHEW ON: "He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish." 1 Kings 4:33

We can learn things about people in many ways. One of them is by looking at what they’ve made. Suppose you saw a display of birdhouses. On the left side is a description of five of those houses. On the right side are things you might learn about the person who made them. Match the things that go together.


Solomon prayed for wisdom. God answered his prayer. He was known as the wisest man of his time. As well as making up thousands of wise sayings (called proverbs) and composing over one thousand songs, Solomon studied nature. In a time before binoculars, microscopes and dive expeditions, Solomon knew much about plants, animals, birds, reptiles and fish.



We may ask why would such a wise man study these things? Perhaps it was just because he was curious. Maybe he studied plants and animals to see if they had anything to teach people. Another reason Solomon enjoyed studying nature was probably to learn more about the One who made all these things – God. For just as we can learn about people from the things they make, we can learn about God from the things He has made in creation.

PRAYER: Dear God, please open my eyes to see You in the world around me. Amen.

MORE: Learn About God from a Reptile?


1. Choose a reptile that interests you.

2. Find and list five interesting facts about the creature you picked (from books or the internet).

3. What things can you learn about God from your study?


Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Wise Wish

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Kings 3:5-15

TO CHEW ON: "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this." 1 Kings 3:10

Suppose one day God came to you and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” What would you ask for?

This very thing happened to young Solomon. It was in the beginning of his reign. He was about twenty years old and he didn’t have much experience. Every day he realized more what a big job it was to be king. One night he had a dream. In that dream God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”



Think of all of the things for which Solomon could have asked. Can you list some?

1. What did Solomon ask for? Pick out the things: (I Kings 3:9)

Wealth     A long life

A discerning heart

Honor among kings

Death of his enemies

Ability to tell right from wrong

2. God was pleased with Solomon’s answer. He was so pleased, in fact, He said He would give Solomon what he had requested and more. Pick out the things, above, God said he would also give him. (I Kings 3:12-14)


Then Solomon woke up. It had all been a dream. He didn’t feel any wiser than he had before. Had God actually spoken to him? Had anything really happened?

A few days later when Solomon was judging the people, two women came to him. They were quarreling over a baby boy. Both of them claimed to be his mother. They wanted Solomon to decide who should get him.


“Cut the baby in two and each of you take half,” King Solomon said.

The first woman cried, “No, don’t do that! Give it to the other woman. Please don’t kill it.”

But the second woman said, “Neither of us will have him then. That’s a good idea!”

On hearing that Solomon knew what his verdict should be. “Give the living baby to the first woman,” he said. “Do not kill him. She is his mother.”

How did he know?

When the people in Israel heard how Solomon had handled this case, they were amazed. “He has wisdom from God,” they said.

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me a wise heart. Amen


MORE: A Prayer Test
Though God might never come to us in a dream and invite us to tell Him our wishes, we can ask things of Him every day in prayer. But is God pleased with our requests? Will He answer them? Here are some things this story teaches us about prayers that God likes.

1. Solomon’s request was humble. He knew he wasn’t wise enough to be a good king on his own and he asked for help. God is pleased with prayers that admit we need His help.

2. Solomon wasn’t selfish. Solomon could have asked for things for himself, but he didn’t. God is pleased with prayers that aren’t selfish.

3. Solomon was concerned with others. He asked God for wisdom so he could be a better king for Israel. God is pleased when we pray for things that will help others.

As you pray, ask God to help you pray these kinds of prayers.


Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Recipe for Success

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 1 Chronicles 28:4-12

TO CHEW ON: “And you my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

David was an old man. He had been king for forty years, but he knew he would soon die. One day he crowned his young son Solomon to rule after him. Then he called the people together to introduce them to their new king.


In front of everyone he challenged Solomon to be a good king and serve God for his whole life. His speech told Solomon how to do that. It went something like this:

“Solomon, be sure you search out all of God’s commands and obey them. Get to know God. Worship Him with a clean heart. Serve Him with a willing mind. Don’t think you can fool Him with pretending. Not only can He see what you do, He also knows your thoughts. Search for Him and He will show Himself to you.

“But if you don’t do these things and instead ignore God and forget Him, He will cast you aside.”

Then David gave Solomon a very precious parcel – the blueprints and plans for the temple. It was time to replace the Tabernacle tent with a building. David had wanted to do it but God had said no. Now David gave Solomon the job of building God’s house.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to seek You, find You and know You. Amen.

MORE:
Can David’s recipe for success still be used by us today?
How do you think a kid today would:

1. Search for God?

2. Get to know God?

3. Worship God with a clean heart?

4. Serve God with a willing mind?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Caught

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Samuel 18:1-14

TO CHEW ON: "Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair while the mule he was riding kept on going." 2 Samuel 18:9


David was on the run from his son Absalom. David thought of all the things Absalom had on his side – the army, many of the people, even the wisest counselor Ahithophel. “God, please spoil Ahithophel’s advice,” David prayed.

Down the road David met his friend Hushai. He was also known as a wise man. “I’m coming with you,” Hushai told David.

But seeing Hushai gave David an idea. “Why don’t you help me another way?” he said. “I’d really like it if you went to Absalom and pretended you were going to be on his side. Then when Ahithophel tells Absalom what to do, you can suggest something that isn’t as wise.”

Hushai did as David asked. When Ahithophel told Absalom he should go after David right away, Hushai said, “No, that’s not a good idea.” Then he suggested they wait till his army gathered.

When Absalom decided to follow Hushai’s advice, Hushai sent spies to David to tell him what was going on.

The delay helped David and his men get organized. Even so, Absalom’s army was soon nearby. The two sides met in a thick forest. Did they have any chance against Absalom’s army, David wondered.

Absalom rode his kingly mule into battle. When he met David’s men, his mule took off with him on it. As they passed under a tree, Absalom’s long hair got caught in the branches of an oak, while the mule ran away.


There he was, hanging from the tree by his hair!

Soon someone found him. They recognized him as Absalom and called Captain Joab, who put him to death.

Absalom’s plan to become king seemed foolproof. He had plotted and schemed to make it happen. He had won people over to his side and had an army with wise advisors. But his plan was not God’s plan. God wasn’t with him and in the end, everything fell apart.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to keep trusting You even when things look impossible Amen.

MORE: Wise Man Who Am I?
In Bible times kings relied on the advice of wise men like Ahithophel and Hushai. The Bible has stories of other wise men. Can you guess the name of each wise man by his clue? Use the Bible references if you like.

1.I was a believer in Jesus who won debates against the religious teachers of my time because I was wise. Who am I? (Acts 6:8-10)

2. I and my friends were the wisest of all the king’s servants-in-training after living on only vegetables and water. Who am I? (Daniel 1:19-20)

3. The Bible called me the wisest man who ever lived. Who am I? (1 Kings 4:29-31)

4. After I told the king the meaning of his dream, he put me in charge of the land of Egypt. Who am I? (Genesis 41:39-40)





Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Trouble

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 3:1-8

TO CHEW ON: "Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:2,3

Have you ever been in big trouble? Maybe some bullies at school are picking on you, or someone in your family is deathly sick, or your house was wrecked in a storm or fire – or some other thing. What do you do when big trouble comes?


When David wrote Psalm 3, he had a big problem. By now he had been king for many years. He also had many children. One of his sons, Absalom, was ambitious. He wanted to become king instead of David.

Secretly Absalom won the hearts of the people. He did this by talking to each person who came with a problem for the king to judge. He said things like, “Isn’t it a shame the king is too busy to hear you? Now if only I were the king, things would be different.”

After acting like this for four years, he made his move. Without his father knowing it Absalom went to Hebron. Then he sent secret messengers through the land. They told everyone, “As soon as you hear the trumpets, say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’”

A messenger came from Hebron to tell David. “Everyone is following Absalom.”

David knew if this were true, he and his family were in danger. Quickly they packed some things and hurried out of Jerusalem. But David felt terrible. His own son, whom he loved, was betraying him. And if all the people and the army really were going with Absalom, who was left to help him?


So David did what he had always done – in good times and bad. He went to God. Psalm 3 is the prayer he prayed when he was running away from Absalom. In it he tells God his problem (Psalm 3:1-2). He reminds himself how big and strong God is by praising Him (Psalm 3:3-4). He tells how trusting God changes even the way he acts, helping him sleep and not be afraid (Psalm 3:5-6). Then he prays that God will deal with his enemies (Psalm 3:7-9).

Read this prayer aloud, pretending you are David praying it. What is your favorite part? _______

PRAYER: Dear God, my big problem is __________. Please help me. Amen


MORE: A Prayer-for-help Psalm of Your Own
Write a Prayer-for-help Psalm of your own. You can use the words in bold to start each section.

Part 1: O Lord, _____ (Name your problem and say what people or your thoughts are telling you about it.).

Part 2: But _____ (Write about how great God is and how able to help).

Part 3: I _____ (Tell how your actions would change if you knew God would help you.)

Part 4: Arise O Lord _____ (Write out exactly what you want God to do).

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 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I'm Sorry

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 51:1-19

TO CHEW ON: "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise." Psalm 51:17


After Nathan had talked to David, he felt terrible. Now he knew how seriously God took what he had done. It wasn’t just some little "mistake." It was sin – adultery, lying, murder. He felt guilty. He felt dirty. He felt sad. He felt afraid that God wouldn’t be his friend any more. He was very sorry.


David wrote his thoughts and feelings in Psalm 51.

1. Even though David had killed Uriah, whom had he sinned against the most? ____ (Psalm 51:4)

2. What did David ask God to do for him (Psalm 51:7-12)?
A. Create a new heart in him.
B. Let him be happy again.
C. Help him be more clever at covering his sins next time.
D. Wash and cleanse him.
E. Give him the will to obey God.
F. Take all temptation away from him.

David knew that God wanted more than sacrifices. God wanted a different attitude inside. He wanted a broken heart and a broken and contrite spirit. David felt that way. He knew God would forgive him.

Still, there would be consequences to what he had done. A man had been killed. There was a baby on the way. And God had said David’s family would never be the same. Even though God forgave him, David would still have to bear the consequences of his sin.

PRAYER: Dear God, I too want a pure heart and the will to obey You. Amen.

MORE: Signs of ‘Sorry’
Has God brought to your memory some sin that you need to deal with? Perhaps you’ve realized for the first time how seriously God takes what you did. Now you feel like David – guilty, dirty, sad, sorry. What can you do? Here are some things:

1. Confess your sin to God. He has promised to forgive you and make you clean again. (1 John 1:9)

2. Ask yourself, who was injured by my sin? Do I need to ask any person for forgiveness or repay something I’ve stolen, or make right a lie I told? Then do what you need to do.

3. Now ask God to give you a heart that is sensitive to the things that please and displease Him.


Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.