To hear this Morning Devotion, please click Seeds of your own rescue
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It’s true that there are cold-hearted people in this world who rob foreign tourists, lonely drunks and who steal candy from children.
Whenever I hear of dark moments imposed on the weaklings of this world by those who misuse their strength, I take comfort in the fact that God sees everything and will make things right on Judgment Day.
Even more satisfying than the certainty of God’s justice, however, is the certainty of God’s reward for those who live to help people, not harm them.
Whenever I see someone pouring kindness into the life of another, I am encouraged.
And when I learn that the desire to express godly faith is the motivation for such kindness, I am even more greatly encouraged.
It is a beautiful thing when a Christian puts hands and feet to his or her compassion, whether it be via an anonymous payment of a light bill, a midnight run through a blizzard to the pharmacy or a multi-day babysitting offer so that single mom can visit a gravely injured sibling.
If Christians won’t do things like these for people in their lives, particularly biological or church family members, then who will?
Ephesians 2:10 says that we are saved in order to serve others.
Is this happening in your life? Can you name three people — hurting people — that you’ve specifically helped in the past month?
Here’s what God thinks about this topic:
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.” Psalm 41:1
God loves it when you and I show regard for the “down and out” people around us. And He is honored when you and I spend some of our physical or financial or spiritual strength in order to help those struggling to simply put one foot in front of the other.
Not only are the needy receiving help from an ambassador of God, but we are also storing up favor with God who will send help our way when we’re in a bad spot.
Listen, whenever we plant seeds of kindness into other lives, we prepare for a later harvest of kindness for ourselves. We might not need to use it but it’s quite reassuring to know that God will offer to deliver us if troubles come our way.
It took two years for the chief cupbearer to remember that his release from an Egyptian dungeon followed Joseph’s prophetic intercession. But when he finally did remember, the cupbearer wasted no time in trying to get Joseph out of prison and into Pharoah’s service.
Through that service, Jacob’s family found deliverance and the nation of Israel had its real beginnings.
If Joseph had not had regard for the dejected cupbearer, the son of Jacob wouldn’t have helped him.
And through that same cupbearer, the Lord delivered Joseph in his time of trouble.
Please, dear friend, go to the family member or friend who is in a difficult, “weak” time in his or her life. Help them in a meaningful way.
God will see your compassion and will see to it that you reap the fruit of intercession into your life should such a need arise.
He promised so in Psalm 41:1.
As always, I love you
Martin
