Kindness - Day 4

Forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2

It is a delightful and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the lives of ancient saints, and to observe His goodness in delivering them, His mercy in pardoning them, and His faithfulness in keeping His covenant with them. But would it not be even more interesting and profitable for us to remark the hand of God in our own lives? Ought we not to look upon our own history as being at least as full of God, as full of His goodness and of His truth, as much a proof of His faithfulness and veracity, as the lives of any of the saints who have gone before? We do our Lord an injustice when we suppose that He wrought all His mighty acts, and showed Himself strong for those in the early time, but doth not perform wonders or lay bare His arm for the saints who are now upon the earth. Let us review our own lives. Surely in these we may discover some happy incidents, refreshing to ourselves and glorifying to our God. Have you had no deliverances? Have you passed through no rivers, supported by the divine presence? Have you walked through no fires unharmed? Have you had no manifestations? Have you had no choice favours? The God who gave Solomon the desire of his heart, hath He never listened to you and answered your requests? That God of lavish bounty of whom David sang, "Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things," hath He never satiated you with fatness? Have you never been made to lie down in green pastures? Have you never been led by the still waters? Surely the goodness of God has been the same to us as to the saints of old. Let us, then, weave His mercies into a song. Let us take the pure gold of thankfulness, and the jewels of praise and make them into another crown for the head of Jesus. Let our souls give forth music as sweet and as exhilarating as came from David's harp, while we praise the Lord whose mercy endureth for ever. (CH Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Morning July 8).

I hesitated to include another devotional from Spurgeon today.  But, as I pondered kindness, this devotional was impressed upon my heart.  And, as I worked through another Bible study the next morning, it made the same plea – remember the kindnesses of the Lord in your life, specific instances of it. 

There are many people throughout Biblical history who prayed in such a way.  First, they reminded themselves about God’s mighty and kind acts toward them before they turned their prayers and petitions to their current circumstances. Should we not do the same?

If you have time and the Spirit prompts you – dive into Isaiah 63:11-14, Exodus 33:1-15 or Numbers 14:13-19, 2 Chronicles 20:6-12; Daniel 9:15-19; Ezra 9:6-15 or Nehemiah 1:5-11.  Experience the way the saints prayed to God, clinging to His mighty acts and kindness to them. 

Now, turn to your own life: where have you experienced His kindnesses?  Let your mind go far and wide.  Remembering these tender kindnesses, remember that God’s character does not change.  He is loving and kind.  And, He desires to bring Himself glory through your circumstances.  Will you bring your current challenges before Him?