Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

The Kindness of God

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"MY TREAT!"

Nice words to hear, huh? They have flowed into my ears from any number of places—yours, too.

Treats are neat. Spontaneous. Unexpected. Pleasant moments that communicate: "You are special . . . loved, appreciated, affirmed, deserving," and a half a dozen other warm fuzzies we need to hear but seldom hand out. Normally, they don't come on holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries, but rather during the run-of-the-mill, no-big-deal times in our lives.

Let's also think of treat as a noun: an unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement. Rather than an act, this represents a fact. A happy happening. I'm thinking of something that never fails to enhance, to encourage, to refresh, to renew. Not every so often, but every single time. The kind of treat where you pick up the tab but the expense is virtually forgotten, thanks to the meaningfulness of the event and the memory that will never be erased.

You know the basis for such treats? It's a Bible word: kindness. It's the treat that brought you to God.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. . . . Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

ROMANS 2:1–2, 4

From darkness into light, from condemnation you have been delivered. You have been given a song of forgiveness to sing for eternity. In Christ, you have the sweetest possession heaven could provide: the gift of salvation through the death of God's Son. You can almost hear God saying this from His heavenly throne . . .

My treat!