Unexpected Kindness

Read: 1 Samuel 26:1-25

If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. --- Romans 12:20

The Bible In One Year:
Numbers 28-30
Mark 8:22-38

A missionary was teaching a class of young girls about kindness. She told them about Jesus, who said that a person who gives a cup of water in His name "will by no means lose his reward" [Mark 9:41].

The next day the missionary watched as a group of weary men walked into the village square, removed their heavy backpacks, and sat down to rest. A few minutes later, several little girls shyly approached the surprised men and gave them all a drink. Then they ran to the missionary. "Teacher!" they shouted. "We gave those men a drink in Jesus' name."

Although Mark 9:41 applies primarily to showing kindness to believers in Christ, we know that we are to "do good to all" [Galatians 6:10] and even give our enemy a drink [Romans 12:20].

In today's Bible reading, David had the chance for revenge against King Saul [1 Samuel 26:9]. But because David revered God, he showed kindness to the king.

Showing unexpected kindness to strangers or enemies will not always change their hearts. But sooner or later someone will wonder why we were kind, and we will have an opportunity to tell about our Lord, who was kind even to His enemies [Romans 5:10]. --- Herb Vander Lugt

Do a deed of simple kindness,
Though its end you may not see;
It may reach, like widening ripples,
Down a long eternity. --- Norris

ONE ACT OF KINDNESS MAY TEACH MORE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD THAN MANY SERMONS.