Cultivating KindnessSampel

STEPPING IN

In Exodus 4:24–26, God told Moses to circumcise his son as an act of faith and covenant. Moses refused, and the Bible says God sought to kill Moses for it. But Zipporah, Moses’ wife, quite literally saved his hide. She took the knife and circumcised their son herself. And when Zipporah interceded for Moses in this way, the anger of the Lord turned. Moses’ life was saved because somebody else intervened.

How do you handle it when you see a loved one going the wrong way? And how does God expect you to handle seeing someone headed for disaster? If Moses and Zipporah are an example, it may be that you can get to the person before God does and help redeem the situation. You can act in a way that intercedes for them. Not by picking up the phone and gossiping about it to a neighbor. Not just by pointing out the person’s missteps to them. But by actually doing what they are incapable of or unwilling to do themselves. It may just save their hide.

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns the sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

JAMES 5:19–20

Bear one another’s burdens.

GALATIANS 6:2

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

GALATIANS 6:1 NLT

God, You are the One who restores all things. Make me Your instrument of restoration to all who need it.