Kindness Devo

Introduction to Kindness

Last week I was surprised to learn that I had been selected as the kindness student of the month.

And while it was neat to be honored with that award, the truth is that we should be show kindness for a much more important reason.

God requires Kindness

In Micah chapter 6 and verse 8 Micah tells God’s people

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah tells us that what God wanted from His people is for us to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk with humility with God.

King David Shows kindness

I recently learned in Bible class a story that shows one way that David was a man after God’s own heart.

In 2 Samuel chapter 9, we read that David has a desire to show kindness to the house of Saul because of his love for Jonathan.

And so David asks if there is anyone who he can show kindness to and he learns that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth.

So David calls for Mephibosheth, who had been dropped on his head as a child and was lame and unable to walk, and in verse seven David tells him

2 Samuel 9:7 ESV

7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

2 Samuel 9:7

Now remember, David didn’t have to extend this kindness.

He wasn’t required to do this by law. He wasn’t trying to get something from Mephibosheth. He was just trying to extend kindness because of his love for his friend Jonathan.

We Should Show Kindness

In the same way that David showed kindness and did what God wants from us, we should also show kindness to everyone.

Jesus was kind to those that others were not kind to at all.

Jesus was kind to the sick, to the lame, to the blind and the poor.

He went out of his way to help all people because Jesus knows how much every person means to God, and we should show the same kindness to others that Jesus showed while he walked on the Earth.

Not for awards, but because it’s what God wants us to do, and it’s what Jesus showed us how to do.

So as you go throughout your week this week, find a way everyday to extend kindness to those around you.