Kindness

Acts 27: 3 says, “The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.”

Observation: Julius was the centurion guard ordered to watch over Paul so that he would be sent to stand trial. Julius, I’m sure, was a very good solider. Paul was an important piece of cargo. It says in Kindness, Julius let Paul see his friends while they were in a port so they could provide for his needs. I’m sure that God was watching over Paul by softening Julius’ heart, but it doesn’t say that. Later, Julius again saves Paul by not allowing him along with the other prisoners to be killed because the ship had wrecked and the prisoners would be able to escape. Again, God was using Julius to watch over Paul’s life.

Application: We often times want to be in Paul’s position where God is sparing us from heartbreak or troubles. But have you ever asked to be in Julius’ shoes. We can ask God to be a blessing to someone else. But we need to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If you feel that you are to show kindness, it’s probably God asking you to be obedient so that someone else can be blessed. And maybe because you will be blessed because we were used to help others.

Prayer: God, let me be a blessing to someone today. Don’t let my agenda get in the way of what you want to accomplish today in the life of someone around me.