God's Promises Mean Something

Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids

Bible Reading: Psalm 12:5-7

"He said he was going to help us." Sammy frowned. "How could Uncle Riley say that and then change his mind? We need help if we're going to move!"

Mom held a finger to her lips. She nodded to the open window. "Look at our babies getting their first meal."

Sammy peeked out the window. In the branch of the tree right outside, there was a nest with baby birds that had just hatched. A big bird was feeding each of the babies with something out of her beak. It was cool to watch.

When the meal was finished, Sammy looked to his mom. "Without money from Uncle Riley, we're going to be stuck here forever."

"I was excited when he said he was going to help," Mom said. "But we can figure things out without him. It will just take a little longer. We're going to be okay."

"How can he make a promise and then change his mind?" Sammy moved to their brown couch and sank down onto it, running his finger along a tear in the fabric. "We were counting on him doing what he said he would do."

"People are like that sometimes," Mom said. "They make promises and then don't keep them."

Sammy crossed his arms. "It's not right."

"No, it's not." Mom looked at him. "You know who isn't like that? God. Every promise He makes, He keeps."

Sammy frowned. "It doesn't always feel like it."

"It might not," Mom said. "But it's true. It's like those baby birds. I heard them chirping when their mom left them this morning. They were probably worried that she wouldn't come back. But she did come back, because she knows they depend on her to feed them and take care of them. Our heavenly Father is much more dependable than a mother bird, and He promises to take care of us."

"What if He doesn't?" Sammy asked.

"He will," Mom said. "The Bible tells us that God keeps His promises. When we were lost in sin, He promised us a Savior, and He fulfilled that promise through Jesus. And Jesus promises that even though life is full of difficulties, He will always be with us and help us. Other people may fail us, but God never will."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Have you ever had someone make a promise to you and then change their mind? How did that make you feel? Do you keep every promise you make? People don't always keep their promises, but God does. He kept His promise to send Jesus to save us, and He promises He's with us through every hardship we face, even when it doesn't seem like it. You can trust Him to keep His promises.
Today's Key Verse:
He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind. (NIV) (1 Samuel 15:29 )
Today's Key Thought:
You can trust God's promises