GOD COMMANDS FAITHFULNESS BECAUSE HE VALUES FAITHFULNESS.
Bible Reading of the Day: Read 1 Samuel 2:27-30, 35.
Verse of the Day: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV).
Mom and Dad sat in the school auditorium and waited anxiously for Seth to stand up. Seth was scheduled to be one of three students to speak in the special program sponsored by a local program against drugs.
They watched Seth fidget on his chair on the platform while the first speaker, a fourth-grade student, stood and read the short speech she had prepared. She spoke on how she didn’t want to take drugs because she wanted to be a gymnast when she grew up, and she didn’t want to hurt her body with drugs.
Then a fifth grader, stood. He said he didn’t want to take drugs, either, because “drugs are bad for you, and they make you do all kinds of dumb things.”
Finally, after waiting and fidgeting for what seemed like hours, Seth walked to the edge of the tiny grade-school stage and unfolded the single sheet of paper he had held in his hands since the program had started.
“I don’t want to take drugs because my parents have taught me the difference between right and wrong, and I know drugs are wrong. If I took drugs, I would disappoint my mom and dad, who would find it hard to trust me ever again. Taking drugs would also be wrong because God says I should take care of my body, because my body is his temple since he lives in my heart. I want to be faithful to God, so I don’t ever want to take drugs.”
When the program was over, Mom and Dad strode side by side to the platform and hugged their son.
“I’m so proud of you,” Mom said.
“I am too,” Dad added. “You did a great job, Son. You know what I liked best about what you said?”
Seth smiled. “You liked it that I didn’t want to disappoint you, right?”
Dad smiled. “I liked that,” he admitted, “but I also liked the fact that you said you would refuse drugs because you want to be faithful to God. And I’m sure God liked your speech too—because he values faithfulness.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Seth said. “Thanks, Mom.”
Mom and Dad smiled. “Thanks for being such a faithful son,” Mom said, as they walked together toward the refreshment table.
TO DISCUSS: Today’s Bible reading reveals that God values faithfulness, because he wanted Eli to be a faithful priest. Was Eli a faithful priest? Do you think Eli’s sons were faithful priests? What did God decide to do, since Eli and his sons were unfaithful? Can you think of someone who was a faithful priest? (Hint: Read Hebrews 2:17-3:1.) Has anyone ever described you as faithful?
TO PRAY: “Lord, help us to value faithfulness, because we know you value faithfulness.”
