“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” (Hebrews 13:2) “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Prov. 19:17) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
Heavenly Father, when we finally gather in the new heaven and new earth, as one Big redeemed, every-nation family, it won’t surprise me if the first 1000 years are filled with a lot of connecting the “grace-dots.” and multiple story-celebrations. We’ll get to see how your hand and heart were always at work everywhere, in “mundane” and miraculous ways.
Perhaps we’ll meet angels who came into our homes as despairing widows and fearful children. Maybe, we’ll meet villagers from another continent, who survived a wheat and grace famine, by the check we cut, the container that was sent, and the Gospel that was shared. Bread from the fields and Bread from heaven are both essential.
No act of kindness is small. Compassion is never wasted, even if we don’t see an immediate return. Nothing done in response to the Gospel is insignificant. In Jesus’ name, no hour or year of hospitality is wasted. Father, we are most like you when we are merciful—in attitude and action.
We pray for the heroic hospitality being extended on the border of Ukraine. Keep showing us our place in that story. But also, open our eyes and hearts to all the mercy-needs where we live. Most of us won’t blink an eye paying $6.00 or more for a gallon of gas. Many will be terrified, hungry, and cold. We don’t really “lend” anything to the One who owns everything. We need no other reward than knowing you, Father. So Very Amen.