Sgt. Richard Kirkland was a soldier during the American Civil War (1861–1865). When a fierce battle left wounded soldiers abandoned in no-man’s land, Kirkland got permission to help them. Collecting canteens, he leapt the stone wall and bent over the first soldier to lend assistance. At great personal risk he showed the mercy of Christ to enemy soldiers.

Those who suffer can be found all around us—people struggling against loneliness, loss, health issues and sin. Their cries, muted by our many distractions, plead for mercy and comfort, for hope and help.

Kirkland’s example of Christ-like compassion put action to Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). Paul expands on that theme when he quotes Proverbs 25:21, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink” (Rom. 12:20). “Do not be overcome by evil,” he instructed us, “but overcome evil with good” (v.21).

Paul’s challenge compels us to emulate Sgt. Kirkland. Today is the day for us to ‘leap the wall’ of safety to lend comfort from God to those in need.

Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not. —Samuel Johnson

Author

Randy Kilgore

Topics

Our Daily Bread