Binding Up Our Wounds
Luke 10:34 (TLB) Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night.
I love the story of the Good Samaritan. It reveals a pure heart that felt compassion toward someone in need. Shouldn't we all have these same desires - to help those in need? Taking time out of our day for another person or spending some money on someone other than ourselves is definitely not a natural reaction for most. These are learned behaviors that become easier with time. God gives us opportunities to help others all the time but sadly we are too inwardly focused to take notice that someone else has a greater need.
The old saying, "put yourself in my shoes," rings true when others are in need of help but can't seem to find someone who cares. Think about someone who just received devastating news from a doctor - stage 4 cancer. On top of this diagnosis, now this person is scheduling chemotherapy and doctor's visits left and right. Odds are they now have a change in income and are too weak or tired to tend to the needs of their family. This is a great opportunity for you to show God's love to this individual and also fervently pray for their healing.
Another scenario would be a spouse becoming widowed that relied on income from their other half and it's now obsolete. We "the church" should be the first ones to take care of those in need. What better way to show the love of Christ than meeting someone's practical needs?
To the cancer patient, grabbing them a cart of groceries or taking their kids to a sports practice would speak volumes to them. To the widow, helping them list furniture online and sell off unneeded household items or an extra vehicle would mean the world! Especially in situations where the spouse that passed away was always in charge of the bills and purchases. There are many other ways to assist in "binding up the wounds" of others. Will you allow God to use you to help someone in need today? Pray for God to show you who is around you with a need and bless them as He leads.
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.
Psalm 147:3 (ESV) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
