Do you have a friend who loves to be kind? They are there to help before you ask. The type of person who looks for opportunities to be encourage and support, one who gives with all their heart?
That’s loving-kindness. That’s what we have been talking about for the last two days. That’s our heavenly Father.
“Then the trees of the woods will sing for joy before the Lord. For He is coming to judge the earth. 34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. 35 Then say, ‘Set us free, O God Who saves us. Gather and save us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, and have joy in Your praise.” I Chronicles 16:33-35 NLV
His loving-kindness lasts forever! As of yet, we have not reached forever so the loving-kindness of our God continues to reach out to us.
When we walk, mindful of the Lord in all we do, we are an example of His loving-kindness. Our families will see it, our co-workers and neighbors will take notice. We become receptacles of His love.
The loving-kindness of the Lord flows into our lives through a conduit of His grace and we in turn become a cup that runs over with His goodness.
“You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love (loving-kindness) will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:5b-6 NLT
I would like to share one final excerpt from the Love in the Long Term.
“Hesed is a bone-weary father who drives through the night to bail his drug-addict son out of jail. Hesed is a mom who spends day after thankless day spoon-feeding and wiping up after her disabled child. Hesed is an unsung pastor’s wife whose long-suffering, tearful prayers keep her exhausted husband from falling apart at the seams. Hesed is love that can be counted on, decade after decade. It’s not about the thrill of romance, but the security of faithfulness.”
Loving-kindness is the act of loving to be kind. Kindness is always at the forefront resulting in loving actions. Time and again the Bible tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion. He saw with His heart and then acted in a way that made a difference. Loving-kindness.
“Loving-favor and loving–kindness and peace are ours as we live in truth and love. These come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Son of the Father.” I John 2:3 NLV
Be grateful today that our Father loves to be kind!