In this 5-day devotional, designed specially for kids between the ages of 8–12, you’ll explore the amazing stories of ordinary people in the Old Testament who found courage through their trust in God. Each day will show how God can help you be brave, too—no matter what giants, doubts, or fears you face.
ABS Armed Services Ministry
Day 1
Scriptures: Genesis 4:13-15, Psalms 79:10, Jeremiah 7:13-15, Romans 12:19, Revelation 11:17-18
When Evil Strikes
“This punishment is too hard!” Cain said. “You’re making me leave my home and live far from you. I will have to wander about without a home, and just anyone could kill me.” “No!” the Lord answered. “Anyone who kills you will be punished seven times worse than I am punishing you.” So the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn everyone not to kill him.
Genesis 4:13–15 (CEV)
Sometimes people go through really scary or hurtful experiences that can leave them with deep pain—not just on the outside, but on the inside too. Even after it’s over, those memories can still make them feel sad, worried, or upset for a long time.
This isn’t fair, we cry. And it isn’t. It isn’t right. And we often get frustrated when there’s nothing we can do to make it right or even get revenge. But the Bible tells us that God will bring justice. Someday, all evil will be punished.
The problem of evil goes back to the beginning. In Genesis, we find the story of the first murder—brother on brother. Cain, the son of Adam and Eve, murders his brother Abel without regret. So why are we focusing on Cain this week, a murderer? Aren’t we supposed to be learning about brave warriors?
We can still learn a lot from Cain. After what he did, God punished him. Cain was a farmer, but God sends him away from his land, never to farm again. But even in the punishment, the Lord shows mercy and concern for Cain and keeps him safe.
God wants us to love one another, not hurt each other. And unlike Cain, we should be sorry when we do wrong. God forgives those who repent. And when we get hurt, the Lord helps us heal and forgive those who hurt us.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Do you know someone wrestling with painful experiences? Commit to praying for them! Drop them a note telling them you are thankful for them, and you are thinking of them.
PRAY
God, you know people keep hurting people. Please heal those who are hurting. We wait for you to make everything right.
Day 2
Scriptures: Judges 6:12, Joshua 1:5, Judges 7:15, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 13:5-6
How to Become Brave
The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, “The LORD is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.”
Judges 6:12 (CEV)
Sometimes life requires us to be brave, but how are you supposed to do it?
In the Bible, Gideon’s country was under attack, and he was in hiding. That’s not particularly brave! Then an angel appeared and called him a strong warrior. Gideon didn’t believe it. He even argued with the angel.
What Gideon didn’t understand was the first part of the angel’s message—that the Lord was helping him. How could that be when things were so terrible? But when the angel proved his power and the Lord commanded Gideon to fight, he finally believed and obeyed. He went on to win important battles and save his country.
When Gideon put his life into God’s hands, the Lord made him brave, bold, and strong. On his own, he was a coward. But when he trusted God, God used him in a mighty way.
You don’t have to feel brave to be brave. You don’t have to find strength within yourself to fight your battles. Instead, remind yourself that God is with you. Give God control over your life and do what he tells you. Watch him make you brave!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Rewrite the words of today’s verse in a journal or on a piece of paper and highlight them. As you do, thank God for helping you!
PRAY
God, I don’t know yet how you can make me brave, but please help me believe and obey you.
Day 3
Scriptures: Genesis 32:28, Job 42:1-3, Job 42:5, Matthew 7:7-8, Romans 8:38-39
Wrestle Mania with God
The man said, “From now on, your name will no longer be Jacob. You will be called Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.”
Genesis 32:28 (CEV)
Maybe your parents have strong faith in God. Your siblings never seem to be afraid. Your friends don’t doubt God. But you . . . wrestle. Is God really there? Does he really care about you? Can he really help in tough times?
We all must wrestle with our beliefs. We have doubts or fears to think through. We have to decide what we believe in our own hearts. The good news is, God understands and helps us through.
Jacob had his own struggle. The Lord told him to move back to his homeland. He started to obey, but he became afraid because his vengeful brother Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 men. Years before, the brothers had not parted on good terms, and Jacob thought Esau probably wanted to kill him. Jacob sent several gifts on ahead with his servants to try to make peace with Esau. Then he took his family to safety and left them there, choosing to wait through the night alone.
A man came and wrestled with Jacob until just before daylight. Jacob believed it was God appearing like a man. Jacob held on to the man until he blessed him. Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel,” which means “a man who wrestles with God.” The next day, Jacob met Esau, and everything worked out between them. God had protected him, as promised.
Jacob became the father of a nation of people. He worked through his doubts and fears about God, and he came out blessed. We can, too.
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Think of someone you know who believes and trusts God. Ask them if they’ve ever doubted or been afraid that God wouldn’t help them, and how they got through their doubt. How can their experience help you trust God? Journal through their response.
PRAY
God, please help me wrestle through my doubts and come out believing and trusting you.
`Day 4
Scriptures: Numbers 14:24, Numbers 13:30, Joshua 14:11, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 5:4-5
How to Stare Down Giants
But my servant Caleb isn’t like the others. So because he has faith in me, I will allow him to cross into Canaan, and his descendants will settle there.
Numbers 14:24 (CEV)
What giants are you staring down today? A math test? Trying out for the track team? Getting through another day with your parent away?
Caleb had stared down some giants. As a young man, he was one of twelve men Moses, Israel’s leader, had sent to spy on the land God was going to give his people.
You wouldn’t believe what they saw! There were (literal) giants inhabiting the land! When some of the leaders fearfully reported back to their people, the Israelites were terrified. But Caleb stood firm in his faith in God’s promise, and encouraged his people that God is bigger than any giant.
The people were angry, and they wanted to kill their leaders. Then God stepped in and prevented it. God was not pleased, so he let them wander in the wilderness for years until all the adults died and the children grew up. Caleb and Joshua were the only older men remaining when God finally allowed them to go into the promised land.
Caleb was 85 when he went back into that place, but he was as strong as ever. He led warriors into battle and won the land that he knew God had given him.
Caleb was looking at God, not the problems. When God tells you to go forward, don’t look at the giants. Look at him!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Caleb was bold because he had seen God do mighty things. What have you seen God do? Have you told anyone about it? Write it out in a journal or on a piece of paper for them to read.
PRAY
Thank you, God, for leading Caleb . . . and me! Help me to keep my focus on you.
Day 5
Scriptures: Judges 5:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Isaiah 64:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:13
The Winning Volunteer
We praise you, LORD! Our soldiers volunteered, ready to follow you.
Judges 5:2 (CEV)
God must have messed up when he made me this way. I don’t have the skills or special talents to do anything great.
Many people have felt this way. Some try to change themselves. Others give up and don’t try to do anything. But some people trust God.
Deborah was one of those. In Bible times, women were not usually leaders. But Deborah willingly released complete control to God so he could equip and use her. She became a prophetess and a judge over her people.
It was a hard time for Deborah’s people. For 20 years, another country had oppressed them. They lived in fear of the enemy’s strong army and their 900 metal chariots.
So, God gave Deborah another assignment. He told her it was time to fight back and win. Deborah relayed God’s message to Barak, the commander, to assemble the troops. He refused to go into battle without her. So, she went and made sure everyone knew God was fighting for them. They easily won the battle.
When you are not certain what God is doing with you, volunteer for whatever job he has. He uses the willing person and gives them exactly what they need!
SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING
Who do you admire? Ask them what problems God helped them overcome.
PRAY
God, I don’t know how you can use me. But I am willing to do whatever you ask! Please lead me today.