For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
Jeremiah always told people the true words God gave him — even when it got him in trouble. This is one of those hard days.
Today's Story
There was a king named Zedekiah. Hard times were coming to the city, and the king was worried. So he quietly sent a message to Jeremiah: “Please pray to God for us.”
The king wanted Jeremiah to give him good news. But Jeremiah could only say what was true. He told the king exactly what God had said, even though it was not the answer the king hoped for.
One day Jeremiah was walking out of the city to take care of some family business. A guard stopped him at the gate. “You're running away to the enemy!” the guard said. That was not true at all! But the guard would not listen.
The leaders were angry at Jeremiah for telling the truth, so they locked him up in a room far from his home. Poor Jeremiah sat there for many days.
Then the king sent for him secretly. “Is there any word from God?” he whispered. “Yes,” said Jeremiah, and he told him the truth again, brave as ever. He also asked kindly, “Please don't send me back to that cold room.” So the king gave him a better place to stay and made sure he had bread every day.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- Jeremiah told the truth even when people got upset with him. When has it felt hard for you to tell the truth?
- The guard said something about Jeremiah that was not true. How do you feel when someone says something about you that isn't fair?
- Even in a lonely room, Jeremiah kept trusting God. What is one thing that helps you feel close to God when you are sad?