Devotional by Shaquia Reed, 2018 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy
In the One Year Bible, we’ve been reading about King David and his valleys and victories as he was destined to reign as King of Israel. This was the king about whom the LORD said “He is a man after my own heart.” We get to see the similarities between the earthly king and his humanity and the Heavenly King and His Divinity.
On more than one occasion David wept at the destruction of those who opposed him so-much-so that he was even accused of having more love for those who hated him over those who loved him. (2 Samuel 19:6)
But the beauty of having a heart after God is that loving and having compassion for those who hate, abuse, or betray you is one of the deepest forms of love. It was something Jesus showed us all at Calvary. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.” Psalms 145:8 NKJV
Real love:
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Prayer: Father, thank You for being so loving and compassionate toward me.
Even when I hated You, You loved me.
Even when I rejected You, You loved me.
Even when I betrayed You, You loved me.
You loved me so much that You were willing to die in my stead.
Father give me a soft, loving and compassionate heart toward those who have hurt me.
May Your love in me be the thing that draws all men to repentance.
May I never rejoice at their destruction, but rather at Your Truth.
In Jesus’ name Amen.
Declaration: I am a man/woman after God’s own heart. I am full of His unfailing love and compassion.