Thought for the Day

Verse 11 - It is our Christian duty to try to rescue those who are in danger of physical or spiritual death. We must not fail to tell others about Christ or ignore their cries for help, nor should we shut our eyes to their suffering. News on TV reports tragic situations throughout the world, and it is our responsibility to help those we can. Obviously, we cannot help the whole world, but we can volunteer for a particular situation or support a person whom God lays upon our hearts. We must not become callous to people's needs, but we must be attentive to the Spirit; and always be ready to help the poor, hungry, and sick. Sometimes, He may lead us to visit an individual or the physical site of a catastrophe. Other times, He may lead us to give our finances to equip others at the scene of a tragedy. Also, we can always help by taking time to pray for those who are in danger. People who are weak and "tottering" can be destroyed without our help. Helping the poor and needy, as Christ commissioned His people to do, is like ministering to Jesus Himself. "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:35-40).

Verse 12 - God knows our hearts. If we do not sow kindness, but make excuses for not helping others when they have a need, we will reap what we sow, and no one will help us when we need it. God desires His children to have a heart like His. He is merciful, kind, loving, and giving, and we should strive to be like Him. He promises to heal us and deliver us from trouble because we have given to the poor. What wonderful "insurance!"

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness" (Psalm 41:1-3). To sum up our Christian duty to the needy, I am reminded from the words of an old hymn to "Rescue the Perishing; Care for the Dying."