For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
Jeremiah was a messenger for God. For a very long time he told the people the same loving thing, hoping they would listen.
Today's Story
Jeremiah counted the years on his fingers. One, two, three… all the way to twenty-three. For twenty-three whole years he had been telling the people the very same thing.
And what did he say? He said it kindly, over and over: “Please come back to God. Stop being unkind to each other. Stop loving things that aren't even real. God loves you, and He wants you close to Him.”
Jeremiah got up early to say it. He said it when the sun was high. He said it again when the stars came out. He never gave up.
But the people covered their ears. They did not want to listen. They kept right on doing wrong things and hurting each other.
That made Jeremiah very sad. He warned them that hard days were coming because they had walked so far away from God. But even then, God had not stopped loving them. God promised that the hard days would not last forever. One day He would bring His people home again.
So Jeremiah kept speaking. Because that is what love does — it keeps telling the truth, gently, and it never gives up hoping.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jeremiah said the same kind thing for twenty-three years. Is there something you have to be reminded of again and again? Why do you think reminders help?
- It can be hard to keep doing the right thing when nobody is watching. When is a time you did the right thing even though it was hard?
- The people covered their ears so they would not have to listen. What helps you be a good listener, even when the message is something you don't want to hear?