One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Prov. 11:24–25
Lord Jesus, it’s impossible to read this passage without lifting our heart and hands toward heaven. We can’t read the four words “he who refreshes others” without thinking of you. No one refreshes a dry and weary heart like you. Your mercies are new every morning, and your steadfast love never comes to an end.
And no one gives more freely than you, Jesus. You’ll never be charged with withholding any good thing from your people. You’ll never come to poverty through hoarding, because you freely chose the poverty of the cross as a means of making us rich (2 Cor. 8:9). This is the Gospel, and nothing is more refreshing than the Gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16)—for believers and non-believers alike.
Jesus, you’re always calling to us in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37 NIV). Why do you use a loud voice in the Gospel? Because we’re hard of hearing—easily distracted by all the other voices vying for our attention. But chiefly because you are so joyfully ready to refresh us in our weariness, spent-ness, in-need-of-encouragement-ness, and uncertain-about-the-future-ness. Thank you Lord. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
As grace runs downhill to the needy, so it flows freely through us to others. Jesus, who would you have us offer refreshment today? To whom shall we give a cup of grace, a call of kindness—a socially-distancing air-hug of your great love? So very amen we pray, in your bodaciously beautiful name.
