“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. “
Jude 1:21-23 (KJV)
In our Sunday school class we are studying Max Lucado’s Facing Your Giants. It is so interesting to see how David responded to the giants he confronted in his life. He knew God had delivered him, and would continue to do so, in every situation that he came face to face with. He had seen the hand of God taking care of him in the fields while tending to the sheep. He had seen the hand of God taking care of him in the battle with Goliath. Now he has come to a time in his life where he is afraid and his faith is wavering. Saul wants to kill him. So he runs in fear of his very life, but where should he run to. He runs to the house of God. We have so many hurting people in our world today that need to run to the house of God and feel loved and accepted without being judged by those already there. Some have been there for years who have touched, reached out to, and met the need of so many lives.
We find that the priest met the needs of David without knowing all the details of the events that was happening in his life. Can we do the same for the hurting world that needs a place of refuge? They need to be loved regardless of the giants they are facing in their life. Can they come to the church and have their physical needs, as well as their spiritual needs met? How can we lead them to Christ if the giants in their life are alcohol, drugs, stealing, lying, etc. The list of “giants” facing the world today is enormous. We must help people where the needs are.
1John 3:17 (KJV) “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
We have a hurting, lost world that needs to see the love of God dwelling in us. Can we minister to their physical needs and well as their spiritual needs? It is time for the church to open her heart with love and compassion to this hurting and lost world. There is a harvest field ready to harvest, what will we do to win the lost? How will we help them defeat the giants in their life?
David found safety in the Temple. What will people find when they enter the doors of your church? Will they find a place of refuge and hope? I pray that all that enters our doors will find the love of God and compassion that will minister to all their needs.
Dear Father, I pray that when people come hurting, lost, scared, hungry, and addicted that they may find love, mercy, and compassion to meet the needs in their life whether it is physical or spiritual. May they find refuge in your house today! In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the compassion of Christ,
Bobbie Smith