For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
God is patient - so patient. This is the story of how long He waited and called, and a reminder to keep coming back to Him.
Today's Story
For a long, long time, God's people in the north had been forgetting Him. They bowed down to pretend gods and did things God had told them not to do.
But God did not give up on them. Over and over He sent His messengers, the prophets, with a warm and simple message: “Turn back to Me! Stop following the pretend gods and follow the God who loves you.”
God was so patient. He waited and waited. He kept sending people to remind them, like a parent calling, “Come back, come back!” He wanted nothing more than for them to come home to Him.
But the people covered their ears. They didn't want to listen. They kept walking their own way, year after year.
At last, the day came when the people were taken far away from their land to live in another country. It was sad. But it did not happen quickly, and it did not happen because God stopped loving them. It happened after God had waited a very, very long time and called them again and again.
God is always fair, and God is always patient. His door is always open. He is so glad when we choose to listen and come close to Him.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- When is it hard for you to listen - maybe at bedtime, or when you're busy playing? Why is listening so important?
- God waited a very long time and kept calling His people back. What does that show us about how much He loves us?
- God's door is always open for us to come close to Him. What is one way we can stay close to God each day?