The second chapter in the Book of Psalms reflects on the way God’s Son, the Messiah, is received by the powerful kings of the world. As Christians, we read this story in the context of Jesus Christ.
From a practical standpoint, the psalm and this story will help children reflect on jealousy and how they should replace it with generosity and acceptance instead.
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The Girl and Her Goldfish
A little girl came home one day with a new goldfish. Her parents took her to the pet store and she got to pick the one she liked best. The little girl was very excited about the new fish. He was beautiful, but tiny.
She loved him already and he loved her, too. The goldfish was very grateful to be loved so much.
The girl ran upstairs to her room holding the fish in its tiny bowl of water from the store. She had a large fish tank in her bedroom. This new goldfish wasn’t the only fish she owned. She had a large rectangular fishbowl with a few other older fish.
“Listen up little buddies,” she said to the fish in the tank. “I have a new friend to join you. Take good care of him because he is the most beautiful fish in the world.”
She poured the new fish into the bowl then sprinkled some fish food in behind him. Then she skipped out of the bedroom and down the stairs.
The other fish looked with disdain at the newcomer.
“Most beautiful, huh?” said an older fish whose gold scales were fading.
“She never said that about any of us, did she?” said another fish.
The new goldfish was surprised. These fish didn’t like him at all. They started to chase him.
At that moment the girl returned. “Oh no, no, no!” she said to the fish.
She grabbed her fish net and scooped up the old fish and put them into the tiny bowl from the pet store. “That is not how you treat my beloved fish! You will have to stay in that tiny bowl until you can get along!”
The old fish continued to scowl at the new goldfish for many days until the new fish wasn’t so new anymore. In fact, the girl brought home more fish and put them into the large fish tank to join her beautiful goldfish. These new fish followed the goldfish and listened to what he had to say. They all respected him and loved the little girl for giving them a home.
The girl never trusted the old fish again. She kept them in the tiny bowl alone until the end of their days.
“Kings on earth rise up and princes plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one . . . And now, kings, give heed; take warning, judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear; exult with trembling, accept correction lest he become angry and you perish along the way when his anger suddenly blazes up. Blessed are all who take refuge in him!”
Psalm 2:2, 10-11
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