Uncle Jack and God

WE KNOW WE CAN TRUST GOD’S COMMANDS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE CAN TRUST GOD.

Bible Reading of the Day: Read Psalm 78:1-7.

Verse of the Day: “Trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3, NIV).

“I have to go to bed early tonight,” Melissa told her mother, “’cause Uncle Jack’s taking me fishing tomorrow.”

Mom tucked the bedcovers around her daughter. “Oh?” she said. “Is that so?”

Melissa nodded solemnly. “He said we have to leave the house when it’s still dark outside!” she said, obviously excited by the prospect of leaving on a fishing trip before sunrise.

Mom sat down on the side of the bed. “What makes you think Uncle Jack’s going to take you fishing tomorrow?” she asked, with a teasing tone in her voice. “Because he said so!”

“But why do you believe what Uncle Jack says?” Mom asked, a serious look on her face.

“Well, because,” Melissa answered, as if ending all discussion. “Because why?” Mom pressed.

Melissa sighed dramatically. “Because Uncle Jack wouldn’t say we were going fishing and then not take me fishing!”

Mom nodded. “You’re right,” she said. “He wouldn’t.” She picked Melissa up and set her down in her lap. She squeezed her daughter in a bear hug. “You know that you can trust what Uncle Jack says because you trust Uncle Jack, right?”

Melissa smiled, nodded, and returned her mother’s hug.

“Well, I want you to know the same thing is true of God, Melissa,” Mom said. “You can trust him. He’s a wonderful God, a God who loves you and would never do anything to hurt you.”

Melissa closed her eyes and snuggled cozily in Mom’s lap.

“And,” Mom continued, “because you can trust God, you can trust his commands too. When God says to do something, or not to do something, you can believe that his command is good, because he is good. Do you understand?”

Mom waited for an answer from Melissa, but no answer came. She lifted her daughter’s head and looked at her face. Melissa had fallen asleep. Mom kissed her and gently laid her on the bed. “Sleep tight,” she whispered. “And dream of catching lots of fish!”

TO DO: Parents, tell your children a story from your experience (keep it short!) that illustrates why you trust God and his commands.

TO PRAY: “We know from experience that we can trust you, Lord. But sometimes we forget those past experiences. Remind us, Lord, that you are trustworthy.”