A Guarantee You Can Trust – Family Devotion – May 9, 2022

Read: Acts 13:15-16a,26-39

God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.”
Acts 13:34

A Guarantee You Can Trust

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As you begin your devotion today, ask your parent(s) to point to something in your home that came with a guarantee. The roof on your house may have come with a “lifetime guarantee.” Computers, phones, cars—many of these items come with guarantees that they will continue to work as promised or your money back. Companies often use guarantees to sweeten the deal so that you will have confidence in their products.

In our reading today, Paul describes a promise that God made to the people of Israel long ago. God promised that he would restore them as his children, even though their relationship was broken by sin. Jesus would be the “repairman”—the one to restore the broken relationship. “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David,” God said to his people (v. 34). Then God sweetened the deal. He gave his children a special guarantee that the repair would last forever, that their relationship with him would always be strong. When speaking of Jesus’ work, God promised, “He will never be subject to decay” (v. 34). It means that even though Jesus would die for our sins, he would not stay in the grave. God had a repair plan, and that plan came with a guarantee that the repair would last forever.

Even though they had this wonderful guarantee, many of the people listening to Paul didn’t understand God’s plan. They did not recognize Jesus as the Savior God had promised. In fact, when Jesus showed up to repair what was broken, many of them condemned him. They sentenced him to death and put his body in a grave.

But remember, God made a promise. Jesus’ resurrection on Easter proves God’s promises are true. Jesus rose from the grave “so that he will never be subject to decay.” Never! He will always be alive! That’s more than a lifetime guarantee! That’s an eternal promise that our relationship with God is repaired, and nothing, not even sin or death, can break or change that.

Jesus has the power to fix us. The more we study God’s Word, the more we see that it’s true. His repairs last forever, just as he promised!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Closing Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for sending Jesus to sacrifice his life for us and for keeping your promise to raise him to life again. Because he lives, we also will live. Keep us in this faith always. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Even though Jesus gave up his life for our sins, what did he do on Easter?
• Because we believe Jesus rose at Easter, where will we live forever?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Name something of yours that broke and could not be repaired. How did that make you feel?
• Look up John 14:19. How do you know you can trust Jesus’ promise that you will live with him forever? How does that make you feel?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why was it important that Jesus died for our sins and rose victorious over death?
• As a Christian, you believe God’s promises. Think of how you would you describe God’s “eternal lifetime” guarantee to someone who may not yet believe. What’s the alternative guarantee if they don’t believe? Give a reason why it’s important we discuss that one with them as well.