Kids Bible Devotional for November 12, 2024
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Focus Verse
Acts 5:11-12 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people. (KJV)
Jump Start
Okay, these directions are giving me a headache. When it says to clip it, does it mean to fasten it together or cut it with scissors? I’m so confused.
English can be a very frustrating language at times. There are many words that can have double meanings, like “clip”. Others are bolt could mean to separate by fleeing – “He bolted from the room” – or to hold together – “The mechanic bolted the engine to the frame”. Fast could mean firmly fix or make it unmovable. Not to mention it could mean avoiding food. There are many more words like this, which can be confusing without some context.
That’s the key to understanding what words mean. The context within which they are spoken or written. For example, if you’re talking about a racer, your use of the word fast will likely be about their speed. But if you’re talking about putting something together, you’re probably referring to fasteners.
This is true when you speak about fear because fear could mean more than one thing. Context is decisive. This is a perfect segue into today’s devotion entitled “To Fear or Not to Fear.”– and no, I’m not talking about the motorized scooters called Segways.
Today's Devotion
Jeffrey and Lucy doubled over in laughter just before their father walked into the living room.
“What has got you two so riled up?” Dad asked.
“Do you remember that time on Papaw’s farm when you ran out of the corn field like a streak of lightening because you saw a snake?” Lucy said.
“You nearly ran into Papaw’s tractor,” Jeffrey added. The siblings roared with laughter, struggling to catch their breaths.
“Hey, snakes scare me,” Dad retorted.
After the laughter died down, Jeffrey asked his father, “Is it wrong to be afraid? The Bible says God does not give us the spirit of fear.”
“There are two sides to fear,” Dad replied. “There is being afraid, but there is also showing respect. We are told to fear God. That does not mean we should be afraid of God like I am of snakes. God doesn’t want us to fear Him in that way. Rather, He wants us to revere Him and honor Him, which we do.”
“That’s awfully confusing,” Lucy said. “Those seem to be opposites of one another. If you’re afraid of someone, you wouldn’t necessarily respect them. Showing someone respect seems a million miles away from fear.”
“Let me see if I can give you an example.” Dad sat down on his easy chair. “In the Bible, after God struck down Ananias and Sapphira for lying to Peter, there was great fear among the believers. You’d think this was talking about being afraid after what happened. In reality, people began to respect the authority of the apostles even more. This helped to reinforce unity in the church. The people knew God worked through these men in mighty ways.”
“So, do you have respect for snakes?” Lucy asked.
“Heavens, no!” Dad exclaimed. “I’m deathly afraid of the vile creatures. I have no idea why God created them.” He shuddered. “They just freak me out!”
Wrap Up
Psalms 19:9 says, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.” Without proper context, this would be hard to understand. Is being afraid forever free of dirt? You because it says clean. Of course this is not what that verse is talking about. We know that it means honoring the Lord is the correct thing to do and will last for all time.
Our theme verses came on the heels of a great tragedy that happened to Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife from the early church. Because they lied to the Lord’s about their offering, Peter rebuked them, and God struck them down. This sad event had a lasting impact on the other believers. If they had any doubt that God was at work through the apostles before, they believed it then. And this allowed God to use the apostles in greater ways to reach others for Jesus.
Jesus may be our closest friend, but He deserves our deepest respect.
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