Searching to Show Kindness

As my quest continues to discover what makes one a person after God’s own heart, the most recent attribute I found was being full of loving-kindness and be willing to pour it out on others.

In 2 Samuel 9:1 David asks, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” In those days it was common for a new king to completely eliminate the previous king’s family to prevent them from trying to reclaim the throne.

Being a man after God’s own heart, David not only defied tradition but he actively sought to make their lives better. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth who was crippled in both feet. He became crippled when he was a child and was dropped by his nurse while fleeing after receiving word that his father and King Saul had been killed in battle. They fled to spare their lives if possible. Now David was calling him forward to show loving-kindness to him. What a difference that made in his life.

While on a phone call to the security company this week I had the opportunity to speak with a representative who was assisting me in obtaining a copy of the video surveillance footage of the three young men who broke into our vehicle over the weekend.

As she watched the video she said, “they are just young kids.” Then she told me that she did the same thing when she was young. She said that she and her friends would break into vehicles as a challenge or because of boredom but mostly because they didn’t feel good about themselves and felt they were lost causes. She said that she felt bad admitting her actions but it all changed one day when someone told her she mattered and had purpose and helped her believe it.

That act of loving-kindness changed everything for her. She turned her life around and in listening to her comment on the three young kids I could tell that her heart went out to them and hoped that they too would come to know that they have a purpose and they matter. I was so touched by her compassion.

As I continued my studies I read that the meaning of Mephibosheth is “One Who Destroys Shame; End Of Shame.” How timely is the story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth and what a beautiful picture it portrays of Christ’s loving-kindness towards us that ended our shame.

It reminded me that I should be praying for those young men and actively continue seeking opportunities to let people know that they matter. Is there anyone I can show kindness to today? What a great question that would be to daily ask ourselves. Only God knows how that simple act of loving-kindness will turn lives around.

My Prayer

Father, I believe that the young men, the phone call and the bible study were all part of Your divine will. Thank you for the lessons in loving-kindness and help me to seek out people that You place in my path who need to know that You love them and they matter. Thank you for removing my shame from sin, inviting me to Your table and making me part of the family of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

2 Samuel 9:1

David asked “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”