NOV.4, 2013
Leap
The Wall
Read: Romans 12:14-21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink. —Proverbs 25:21
Sgt.
Richard Kirkland was a Confederate soldier in the US Civil War (1861–1865).
When the Union’s failed charge at Marye’s Heights during the Battle of
Fredericksburg left wounded soldiers abandoned in no-man’s land, Kirkland got
permission to help them. Collecting canteens, he leaped the stone wall and bent
over the first soldier to lend assistance. At great personal risk, the “Angel
of Marye’s Heights” extended the mercy of Christ to enemy soldiers.
While
few of us will face an enemy on the battlefield, those who suffer can be found
all around us—people struggling against loneliness, loss, health issues, and
sin. Their cries, muted by our many distractions, plead for mercy and comfort,
for hope and help.
Kirkland’s
example of Christlike compassion put action to Jesus’ command to “love your
enemies” (Matt. 5:44). Paul expanded on that theme when he quotes Proverbs
25:21, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink”
(Rom. 12:20). “Do not be overcome by evil,” he instructed us, “but overcome
evil with good” (v.21).
Paul’s
challenge compels us to emulate Sgt. Kirkland. Today is the day for us to “leap
the wall” of safety to lend comfort from God to those in need.
Father, give me the courage to reach out to those
I may not want to reach. Show Your love
through me in ways that will bring glory to You
and true peace in my corner of the world.
Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not. —Samuel
Johnson
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
