Believe in Others

Love . . . does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Everyone else has written off the person you care about. “He’s too far gone.” “She’s too hard . . . too addicted . . . too old . . . too cold.” No one gives a prayer. But you are beginning to realize that maybe God is at work behind the scenes. Maybe it’s too soon to throw in the towel . . . You begin to believe.

Don’t resist these thoughts.

Joseph didn’t. His brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery. Yet he welcomed them into his palace.

David didn’t. King Saul had a vendetta against David, but David had a soft spot for Saul. He called him “the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 24:10).

Hosea didn’t. His wife, Gomer, was queen of the redlight district, but Hosea kept his front door open. And she came home.

Of course, no one believed in people more than Jesus did. He saw something in Peter worth developing, in the adulterous woman worth forgiving, and in John worth harnessing. He saw something in the thief on the cross, and what he saw was worth saving. And in the life of a wild-eyed, bloodthirsty extremist, he saw an apostle of grace. He believed in Saul.

Don’t give up on your Saul. When others write him off, give him another chance. Stay strong. Call him brother. Call her sister. Tell your Saul about Jesus, and pray. And remember this: God never sends you where he hasn’t already been. By the time you reach your Saul, who knows what you’ll find.

A Prayer for Today:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you believed in people. You looked beyond the mistakes and weaknesses to see potential and possibilities. No sinner was ever turned away from you. You opened your heart and your arms to the worst of the world when you gave your life on the cross. When people give up hope on themselves or others, open our eyes to see souls worth saving. Let us look beyond belligerence to see someone in need of your blessing. Let us look beyond pain and poverty to see someone saved by your mighty power, amen.

Additional Scriptures:

He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. —Proverbs 11:18

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. — Jeremiah 33:3

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Questions for Today: Is there a time in your life when you have been grateful for God’s second chances? Please feel free to share your response in the comments section below – we love hearing from our readers. We also invite you to share this post with someone whom God has placed on your heart today. Maybe there’s a Saul in your life who needs to hear this message and know that you care, that you have not given up. ~ Devotionals Daily