For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Ezra has finally made it home to Jerusalem. But soon he hears some very sad news about God's people — and it makes his heart hurt.
Today's Story
Ezra was so happy to be back in Jerusalem. But then the leaders came to him with sad news.
“Ezra,” they said, “many of us have let the people around us pull our hearts away from God. We have started copying the things they do — even worshiping their made-up gods.”
When Ezra heard this, he was so upset he tore his coat. He sat down on the ground and didn't move for a long time. His heart hurt, because the people he loved had wandered away from the God who had been so good to them.
Then, in the evening, Ezra got down on his knees. He lifted his hands up to God, and he prayed an honest prayer.
“God,” he said, “I'm ashamed. We have done wrong. But look how kind You have been to us! You brought us all the way home. You never stopped loving us, even when we wandered away.”
Ezra didn't make excuses. He just told God the truth — the sad parts and the thankful parts. And God heard every word.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Is it ever hard to tell the truth when you've done something wrong? Why do you think it can feel so hard?
- Ezra told God the sad parts AND the thankful parts. Why do you think it helped him to remember God's kindness too?
- God was still kind to His people even after they wandered away. How does it feel to know God stays kind to you, even on a day you mess up?