Maintain Love Towards Cities

Impact:

One time a king sent troops to arrest Elijah, so he replied to the captain, "If I am a man of God … may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!” (2 Kings 1:10) Then fire fell from heaven and killed them all.

Two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, obviously knew this story very well. It came to mind when the people in a Samaritan village didn’t want Jesus and His disciples around. Because of this rejection, James and John said to Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (Luke 9:54) Jesus then sharply criticized their attitude toward this village.

We need to learn from Jesus how to keep a loving attitude toward a city even when the people of the city reject us. Jesus gives us great advice on how to do this. He said, “… wherever people don't welcome you, leave that town…” (Luke 9:5) If we’re going to impact cities with God’s love, we need to be sensitive to God’s leading and get behind what He is doing. In some cases, he leads us as we take a step and start serving specific people in a specific situation.

There are billions who are hungry for the Good News that you’re sharing. Don’t let diversions hinder you from spreading the Kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Jesus, I choose to bless and have hope for every city in the world. Change my heart and fill it with compassion for the lost and broken. Help me to see people the way You see them. Lead me and use me.