March 13

Let Kindness Be Our Principle

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them (Hosea 11:4).

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-9

Song: “As It Is in Heaven”

“You always contradict what I say.” Nancy said this to her son, James, who recently had converted to Christianity as a high school student. James became a sponge of Bible knowledge and wanted his mom to know all that he was learning.

He wanted her to simply “get it” like he was getting it. In his zeal, he would correct her statements about her faith. When Nancy eventually confronted him, James realized his attempt to be helpful was actually unkind and hurtful.

James changed his habit and began encouraging his mother in her Christian growth, celebrating what she learned, and answering her questions with grace not assuming she should already know the answers to what she asked.

Every Christian we encounter is a person for us to engage in the name of Jesus—with love so we serve and disciple them with kindness and humility.

Just as God led Israel with the cords of human kindness, so He also leads us—not in a domineering way, but with grace and kindness.

Father, thank You for leading us with the cords of kindness as we grow in understanding of You and Your ways. Please give me the ability to be patient and kind with those whom I disciple so they begin to experience Your kindness and Your patience. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.