David wrote:  “Bless the Lord, O my soul, … Who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”  Psalm 103:1, 5.  As I get older, I miss things of the past; Running with the wind, hearing the birds sing in the morning.  I wonder, why does God care about us?  It is due to His lovingkindness.  “Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies”?  Psa. 103:4.  The word lovingkindness is used some 240 times in the Old Testament.  It means, “loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness and devotion.”  It is true that God has shown us His lovingkindness, but have we extended such to each other.  To do so, we must be “doing,” “Showing,” or “keeping” lovingkindness.  We all want others to treat us with lovingkindness, but do we show it.

What is lovingkindness? A teacher asked her class what it means to show lovingkindness.  Little Johnnie jumped to his feet and said: “I know!”  “What is lovingkindness Johnnie?”  The teacher asked.  Johnnie said; “Well if I was really hungry and someone one gave me a piece of bread that would be love.  But if they put some jelly on it that would be lovingkindness.”  Out of the mouth of babes.

Loving kindness applied.

• Money can build and furnish a house, but only lovingkindness can make it a home.
• A sense of duty can pack a man his lunch, but lovingkindness will put a love note inside his lunch box.
• The desire to have a happy family can purchase a television set, but only lovingkindness can control what is watched.
• Good parenting can send a child to bed on time, even during the cries and pleadings, but lovingkindness tucks the child in with hugs and kisses.
• A sense of righteous duty will cause one to help another, but lovingkindness does it with laughter and joy of doing the work of doing, giving and contributing to the needs of another.
• We are obligated to love those we have made a commitment to, such as a spouse or aged parents, or our children, but lovingkindness shows kindness with no strings attached.

Lovingkindness is the icing on the cake of life.  It is what makes life worth living.  Adding a big dose of lovingkindness each day will make the day better for all who come in contact with you.

Just for a moment stop what you are doing and think of what God has done for you in all His acts of lovingkindness.  Has He answered your prayers?  Has He spoke to your today in His word?  Lovingkindness.

Mike Divis