Bible Texts: 2Sam.1:1-12, 1Cor.13:4-8, Jas.2:3, Lk.18:38, Gal.4:19, Ezk.18:23, Rom.5:5, Rom.12:15, Col.3:19, Eph.6:4, Gen.1:26-28
One of the attributes of Jesus Christ, the perfect example of the good and godly husbandman is mercy and compassion. And you and I, who are made in the image and likeness of God, have the spirit of mercy and compassion in us. And that is what David demonstrated in 2nd Samuel chapter 1 and verses 5 through to 12.
How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead? David demanded of the young man……when he turned and saw me, he cried out for me to come to him. How can I help? I asked him. He responded, who are you? I am an Amalekite, I told him. Then he begged me, come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die. So I killed him, the Amalekite told David, for I knew he couldn’t live. Then I took his crown and his armband, and I have brought them here to you, my lord. David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan……. (2Sam.1:5-12) NLT
It is natural to rejoice when those that hate you fall, fail or falter. But it is godly to feel a sense of compassion for them. This is aptly captured in the encounter David, the husband of Bathsheba, had with an Amalekite. Although king Saul attempted to kill David several times for no reason, yet when the news of his death reached David, he wept. He did not announce to everyone who cared to listen that his enemy had died. He did not rejoice in the calamity that befell king Saul and his son.
Rejoice with them that rejoice and weep with them that weep (Rom.12:15).
God wants you to demonstrate mercy and compassion toward your wife and children when something unpleasant happens to them and even when they are the cause. God doesn’t want you to rejoice at their mistakes, failures and fallings. In 1st Corinthians chapter 13, the word of God says this.
Love does not rejoice in evil (1Cor.13:6).
Jesus Christ, the perfect example of the good and godly husbandman, is compassionate towards you and me. Jesus Christ does not derive pleasure when we fail or fall. According to the word of God, “He does not take pleasure in the death of a sinner (Ezk.18:23)”. That is the attitude that you must have as your lead your life, wife and children.
As the good and godly husbandman, you have the mind of Christ. You have His spirit working in you and He has empowered you to be like Him in thoughts, words and conduct. So, don’t affirm to your child when he or she presents to you a poor academic result that “after all I knew that you were going to fail”. Don’t announce to your wife and people around you when your wife fails that, “I am not surprised, that serves her well”.Let the love of God that is shed abroad in your heart moved you to be merciful and compassionate towards them, helping them out of their failings, failures and mistakes (Rom.5:5).
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from selfishness and a haughty spirit.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, shed abroad in my heart Your love and let it move me to be compassionate and merciful to my wife and children.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, break the power and influence of pride and bad-will at work in my life.
FAITH CONFESSION
The love of God is shed abroad in my heart and it has moved me to rejoice with my wife and children and share in their pains, failings and fallings because that is what makes me the good and godly husbandman in Jesus Name. Amen.
The devotional IN TUNE WITH GOD© is published by The Husbandman Mission International, Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.
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Jesus Christ is Lord over all.
Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure
Head of Mission
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