Sustenance #1—Sustaining Kindness

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, we will benefit by considering what God’s Word tells us about how he will sustain us in our various endeavors as he sustained Christ in his. Having these words in our hearts will keep our faith strong when we encounter situations in which we might think we are on our own, without support or resources.

Extraordinary kindness and faithfulness will preserve the king, and he will sustain his throne with this kindness. Proverbs 20:28

Extravagant promises and extraordinary performance create and cement great relationships. We would strongly prefer the kind of leader who is joyfully generous and courageously faithful, rather than one who is sullenly stingy and fearfully contingent. Don’t we readily follow the people who show us how they can enrich our lives and work with us until we attain what they have promised? Don’t we love leaders who commit themselves to be a means to our end, rather than those who take advantage of us for their own benefit? We would be thrilled to have leaders like this. We would love to be leaders like this. King David was this kind of leader; we can be also. We too can know the joy of giving. We too can experience more cooperative co-workers. Yahweh sustained David this way. He will sustain us as well. God’s sustaining kindness and faithfulness will satisfy us with all he is for us in Christ, our Lord and coming King. He will fill us so we can faithfully do what we’ve promised and be generously gracious beyond our promises. Extraordinary kindness is possible on our part because the King of the Universe provides for us beyond what we deserve and beyond what we dream. Faithfully keeping our promises—even under the most difficult circumstances, even when it seems that we will suffer loss if we do—is possible because God’s throne is where we can count on finding “mercy and grace to help in time of need.”

Faithful Lord, as I rely on your gracious generosity, give me the courage to extend myself graciously on behalf of those over whom I have influence.