Psalm 79:1-9, New International Reader's Version

A psalm of Asaph.

79 God, an army from the nations has attacked your land.
They have polluted your holy temple.
They have completely destroyed Jerusalem.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your people.
They have left them as food for the birds in the sky.
They have left the bodies of your faithful people.
They have left them for the wild animals.
3 They have poured out the blood of your people like water.
It is all around Jerusalem.
No one is left to bury the dead.
4 We are something our neighbors joke about.
The nations around us laugh at us and make fun of us.

5 Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Will it be forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Bring your great anger against the nations
that don’t pay any attention to you.
Bring it against the kingdoms
that don’t worship you.
7 They have swallowed up the people of Jacob.
They have destroyed Israel’s homeland.
8 Don’t hold against us the sins of our people who lived before us.
May you be quick to show us your tender love.
We are in great need.

9 God our Savior, help us.
Then glory will come to you.
Save us and forgive our sins.
Then people will honor your name.

Fill in the blank:

God ____ me. (Missing words: stays with)

Objects:

A blanket or stuffed animal [It will be more impactful if the item is your own security item. I have a stuffed animal named “Everything” that has stayed with me for more than fifty years!]

Message:

Hi, friends. I’m so glad to see you this morning! I want to play a game with you. I'm going to say a sentence, and I want you to tell me if it sounds like a happy time or a hard time.

Ready?

“My family had ice cream after dinner!” (Let kids respond, “Happy!”)
“My favorite toy got broken.” (Let kids respond, “Hard!”)
“I made a new friend at school!” (Let kids respond, “Happy!”)
“Someone I love had to go to the hospital.” (Let kids respond, “Hard!”)

What did you learn from this game? (Allow children to answer.) You got it. Some times in life are happy, and some times in life are really hard. Today’s Bible passage talks about both.

Today’s scripture comes from Psalm 79. Psalm 79 was written when people were having a very hard time. Their city was hurt. People were sad and scared. They felt that everything had gone wrong. But even in those very difficult times, guess what they did? (Allow children to answer.) They still prayed. They said prayers like, “God, please help us. Don’t forget us. Show us your love again.” Even when everything felt bad, they remembered something really important…our mystery phrase.

Let’s find out what that is with our mystery phrase!

(Hold up a large sign: "God ______ me.") Can anyone guess what words go in the blank? (Let kids guess words such as, loves, helps, made, etc.) All those are GREAT answers! But today’s special phrase is actually two words: God stays with me.
Let’s say that together. “God stays with me!”

Even when we feel sad, lost, or don’t understand what’s going on, God never leaves us. God stays with us!

(Hold up a small blanket or stuffed animal.) Introduce the children to your stuffed animal. Do you have something at home that helps you feel safe or loved when you’re having a hard day, like a blanket or stuffed animal? (Let kids share briefly. Then incorporate your personal story. Some examples include, “This blanket helps me feel cozy when I’m sad or scared. But it can’t talk. It can’t walk with me. It just sits there. This is my stuffed animal named _____. I can squeeze it and talk to it, but it never walks with me and just sits near me.”)

Today, I have good news for you. God is way better than a blanket or an old stuffed animal. God doesn’t just stay near. God stays with us—in our hearts, in our homes, in the good times, and in the hard times.

Even in those really sad moments, like those described in Psalm 79, God didn’t walk away.

God listened. God loved. And God stayed.

Today, our closing prayer lets us act out what we learned. Let’s act it out! I’ll say something, and you’ll make a motion.

I will say, “When I’m happy…,” and you give a big smile.
I will say, “When I’m sad…,” and you put your hand over your heart.
I will say, “When I’m scared…,” and you give yourself a hug.
I will say, “When I’m in trouble…,” and you put your hands on your cheeks (like Kevin from Home Alone).
I will say, “God stays with me,” and you reach your arms out wide and shout: “God stays with me!”
Got it? Let’s do it again. Let’s pray.
Prayer:
“When I’m happy…,” (Remind children of the motion and do it with them. [and you give a big smile]).
“When I’m sad…,” [and you put your hand over your heart].
“When I’m scared…,” [and you give yourself a hug].
“When I’m in trouble…,” [and you put your hands on your cheeks].
“Thank you for staying with me,” [and you reach your arms out wide and shout:] “Thank you, God, for staying with me!” Amen!

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

Designed to reinforce the children’s message throughout the week.

We’ve created these conversation starters and activity ideas to help spark meaningful, faith-filled discussions at home. Each week, your child will come home with a phrase: “God ______ me.” Use the weekly word to guide your talks, drawings, and prayers—anytime and anywhere!

These moments will help nurture trust in God, encourage reflection, and grow faith across the whole family.

God Stays with Me

Big Reminder: God never leaves me, even when life is hard.

Write Psalm 79:9 on a piece of butcher paper or posterboard and leave it on a table at home.

9 God our Savior, help us.
Then glory will come to you.
Save us and forgive our sins.
Then people will honor your name.

On the same sheet of paper: