Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Matthew 5:38-48

How unspeakably kind the Lord has been to us! When humanity had rejected and rebelled against Him, He reached out to us in love and laid down His life to rescue us from death. Even today, He continues to love those who turn away from Him and even those who speak against Him and oppose Him. He is always there for us, caring for us, helping us, providing for us, blessing us, and adding value and goodness to our lives, no matter who we are or what we have done. What a glorious and beautiful God He is.

In Matthew 5:38-48, Jesus calls us to display the beauty and the glory of God by cooperating with the Holy Spirit as He manifests God’s unconditional kindness through us. Jesus’ emphasis here is on the uncomfortable truth that kindness is most powerfully revealed when it is offered to those who are particularly unkind to us. It’s as though our kindness shines more brightly against the backdrop of their rudeness, greed, stinginess, self-centredness and unfriendliness.

So, in spite of how others may treat us today or how “dark” a backdrop they may seem to add to our lives, our call is brightly manifest the kindness of God through persistent friendliness and openness (v.39), disarming generosity (v.40), going the extra mile (v.41), giving practical help in times of need (v.42), prayer support (v.44), and adding value and goodness to others’ lives in whichever way we can.

King of Kindness, let Your kindness shine brightly through me today, as I deliberately put Your love into action towards those who do not love me in return. Holy Spirit help me to notice when I am being offered the opportunity to do so. Empower me not to respond unkindly to the rudeness, unfriendliness, selfishness and greed of others. That would be so easy to do! Empower me instead to manifest Your glory through kind words and deeds towards them. Let Your light shine through me. Amen.