“But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV)

Isn’t it wonderful and amazing that the Lord wants to know Him, the Creator of the universe? That God would give us the understanding to know Him is truly a gift. One way we can get to know Him is to ask the Holy Spirit to help us recognize and understand His many perfect characteristics. The Lord has many attributes, far beyond the twenty-six that will be covered in this A – Z format.

In Jeremiah 9:24, written above, the LORD mentions three of His qualities: kindness, justice, and righteousness. I pondered why He placed the three of them together.

Justice and righteousness go together, for His righteousness demands justice.

I think that it is through God’s kindness that His mercy and love are shown. Kindness reveals the Lord’s gentleness and tenderness. He is full of grace and love for us.

In Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25 – 37, an expert in the Law seeks to justify himself. He asks Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ Jesus answers with a story. A traveler leaves Jerusalem to go to Jericho. He is beaten by robbers, stripped of his clothes, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite see him, but pass by without helping him. A Samaritan stops to care for him. He treats and bandages the man’s wounds, and takes the man to an inn where he cares for him until the following day. He then pays the innkeeper to care for the man with the promise that he will reimburse the innkeeper of any additional expenses.

What a shock it must have been to expert in the Law to recognize the merciful Samaritan as the one who was the neighbor. Hatred and prejudice between the Jews and the Samaritans went back a long time.

We can also see an example of God’s own kindness in this parable. Mankind’s’ sin breaks the relationship with God, causing enmity between us and God. The world ignores our injuries. Religion passes us as well, for it is not a religion that rescues us, but God Himself. In God’s kindness, He binds up our wounds and cares for us. Not wanting the hostility between us, God provides a way to have a relationship with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus. He brings healing.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saves us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that , having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4 – 7 (NIV)

Why is God kind to us? Romans tells us:

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (ESV)

* List some ways that God has shown you kindness.

As we experience the kindness of God, we can in turn give it to those around us.

• A couple I know show kindness to an elderly widowed neighbor by helping her with yardwork. Over time, the widow has softened in listening to them tell her about Jesus.
• Quilts from the quilting ministry show people in pregnancy centers and on the mission field in Mexico that someone cares about them.

Kindness should be part of our speech (Proverbs 31:26), compassion and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit which is exhibited in the believer’s life as we walk in the Holy Spirit’s control (Galatians 5:22).

* Do people think of you as being a kind person? Why or why not? Does your kindness reflect that of God?

Let’s be kind to others, just as God is kind to us. The Holy Spirit will help us.

Lord God, I thank you for Your kindness to me. Please help me to reflect You in all that I say and do. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

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