The One Year Devotions for Kids #2 (Paperback)

Chapter One

NATURE-IN-WAITING Read Romans 8:19-25

Henrik rushed outdoors to see why Grandpa's dog, Blackie, was barking so loudly. He found Blackie jumping higher and higher, trying to reach a squirrel up in the apple tree. "Shame on you, Blackie," said Henrik as the squirrel loudly scolded from his perch in the tree. Henrik pulled the dog away.

Henrik decided to find Grandpa. As he headed for the tool shed, he saw Smokey, the cat, hiding in the grass and staring at some birds pecking at seeds on the ground. "Get away from those birds, Smokey," warned Henrik.

Hearing his grandson's voice, Grandpa came from the shed with two rakes. "How about helping me clean up the garden?" Grandpa asked. Henrik took a rake and followed Grandpa. "I can tell an owl was up in this tree the last few nights. Here's the fur and bones from some small animal the owl had for dinner."

Henrik frowned. "Grandpa, why do some of the animals eat each other?" he asked. "It seems so cruel."

Grandpa nodded. "Well, God's Word says that nature is groaning because of sin in the world," he said. "Ever since sin came into the world in the Garden of Eden, animals have suffered right along with people."

When Grandpa and Henrik carefully raked dead sticks and leaves from the flower bed, they saw tiny green shoots peeking above the ground. Grandpa pointed. "New life," he said. "It reminds me that someday God is going to make a brand-new world where animals won't be afraid of one another or harm one another. It's going to be more wonderful than we can imagine." He grinned at Henrik and added, "God rules over nature, in spite of sin." CEY

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Do you feel sad that some animals have to kill others for food? Or that bigger animals often pick on smaller ones? A better day is coming for those who know Jesus. When you see new plants springing up, you can thank God that someday he will make all things new.

MEMORIZE:

"The wolf and lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like the ox." Isaiah 65:25

God Will Make a New World

(Continues...)