AUGUST 30

Jeremiah 32:19

“Oh, cool!” exclaimed Derek. He glanced around as he held up a miniature racing car. “I’m going to take it,” he said. Derek was about to put the little car in his pocket when his brother David pointed to a nearby sign that read, “Someone is watching you.” Derek shrugged. “They just put those signs up to scare kids,” he said as he pocketed the toy. He held out another car. “Don’t you want one?”

“No,” replied David. “It’s wrong to steal, and you know it! You better put that back.” He turned and walked away. Derek just shrugged and laughed.

As the boys were leaving the store, an employee stopped them. “You’ll have to come with me,” he told Derek, taking a firm hold on his arm and leading him toward the manager’s office. David watched in dismay and then turned to run home.

“Sit down, young man, I’ve got something I want you to see,” the manager told Derek. He pointed to a TV screen and pressed a button. Derek was surprised to see pictures of himself stealing the toy car. He saw David shaking his head and refusing to take one. After sternly questioning Derek, the manager picked up the phone. “We’ll see what your parents have to say,” he said. Derek nervously stared at the floor in shame. He knew he was in big trouble!

When his mother arrived, Derek was too ashamed to look her in the eye. “Since this is the boy’s first offence, I’ll release him to you,” said the manager. Derek was relieved to hear that, but he knew he would be punished at home.

“You thought no one saw you,” said Mom sternly as they drove home, “but as you have discovered, someone did. The camera caught what you did and what David did too. It showed the manager both the good and the bad actions.” She shook her head. “More importantly, you need to remember that even if the manager hadn’t seen you boys, someone always sees,and that’s God. He sees the good and the bad actions, and He’ll reward or discipline us as we deserve.”

Thought: Do you sometimes hope nobody sees a bad thing you do? Do you wish somebody would notice when you do something good? Someone does, and that someone is God!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have promised to love me and want to reward me for doing the things that please You. But I also know You will discipline me when I do wrong. So help me to live my life in a way that will please You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.