Show Mercy
Sometimes I get so busy with the task at hand that I forget some of the basics, such as showing mercy and compassion. The Lord is so gracious to go out of His way to remind me to care for others.
Rivers of the World (ROW) had received word that some children at a hospital in southern Belize were really suffering. We had heard that the hospital didn’t have enough adequate equipment and were struggling to provide good care for the patients. Naturally, when we hear of children in need we respond. We flew to Belize City then drove about five hours to Punta Gorda. We arrived at the hospital and inquired how we could help. We discovered instead that the media was merely trying to make a big deal out of the fact that a child had died at the hospital.
From our observations, the hospital was doing the best it could and really didn’t need ROW’s assistance. It was still a blessing traveling all the way to Belize simply to demonstrate that we cared. Even though we were not needed, this ordeal was a gentle reminder from God for me to take the time to care for His people.
Do you realize that it is a sin to see your neighbor in need and to purposely ignore that need? Many of us are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, which gives us a glimpse of what it means to be neighborly. Let’s look at Proverbs 14:21 to understand what it means to not act as a neighbor:
“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”
If God shows you a need in someone’s life, then go out of your way to meet that need. Too often we try to act like the Holy Spirit by judging others as to why they have a need. It’s not our place to be concerned about the reasons, just be obedient to God, show mercy, and in so doing, you will be imitating how Christ responded to the needs in people’s lives.
