Love That Draws Near

Shared shelter on a rainy street, a quiet picture of remembering the poor with practical love.

Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling, compiled by Nick Harrison
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Galatians 2:10 says the early believers were eager to remember the poor. Today’s reading puts that eagerness on my heart in a fresh way. Jesus was not distant from need. He moved toward people, lifted heads, and honored those the world overlooked. Remembering the poor is not a side project for the church. It is part of walking with the One who became poor for our sake.

Thank you, Nick Harrison, for curating words that point us toward the Savior’s heart. The reminder is simple and freeing. Love does not posture. Love pays attention. Love learns names. Love treats every person as a neighbor, not a nuisance. In Jesus, our identity is secure, so our hands can open without fear.

This is not about guilt or optics. It is about union with Christ. He lives in us by the Holy Spirit. His compassion is not a burst of emotion, it is a steady river that finds practical paths. Sometimes that looks like listening well. Sometimes it looks like sharing money, time, or skill. Always it carries dignity.

I hear the invitation for today. Let generosity be eager, not forced. Let small courtesies carry big love. Let remembering the poor become a normal rhythm, the way we remember to pray or to eat. The Spirit is faithful to lead, and Jesus is enough for every step.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I turn your attention to what is on My heart. Remember the poor. Open your hand to your brother in need. Do good and share, for such sacrifices please God. Practice hospitality. Contribute to the needs of the saints. Learn to devote yourself to good works so that you meet urgent needs and are not unfruitful.

I pour the love of God into your heart. Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The love of the Messiah controls you, so that you no longer live for yourself, but for Him who died and was raised. Walk by the Spirit. Bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.

I remind you that the Lord Jesus became poor so that by His poverty you might become rich. Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Him. Pure and undefiled religion visits orphans and widows in their affliction and keeps itself unstained from the world. If you have the world’s goods and see a brother in need, do not close your heart. Love in deed and truth.

Give in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully. I am able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you abound in every good work. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Share your bread with the hungry. Let your light break forth like the dawn as you walk in step with Me.

Scripture references: Galatians 2:10, Deuteronomy 15:7 to 11, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:13, Titus 3:14, Romans 5:5, Colossians 3:12 to 17, 2 Corinthians 5:14 to 15, Galatians 5:22 to 23, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Matthew 25:35 to 40, James 1:27, 1 John 3:17 to 18, Matthew 6:3 to 4, 2 Corinthians 9:6 to 11, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:7 to 12, Micah 6:8, Luke 14:12 to 14.

Real-Life Analogy
Think of sharing an umbrella in a sudden downpour. You feel the cold drops on your sleeves. You step closer, lift the canopy, and someone who would have been soaked walks a little lighter beside you. That small shelter changes the whole walk. In the same way, the indwelling Spirit of Jesus nudges us to lift a simple shelter over someone exposed, a meal, a ride, a bill paid, a patient ear. We are not managing ourselves with rules. We are yielding to the One who lives in us.

Try this today. Keep a small generosity ready, a grocery gift card, a spare umbrella in your car, a slot in your calendar. When you sense His nudge, say quietly, Lord, I trust You to lead my steps and to love through me right now, and follow through with respect and joy.

Prayer of Confidence
Father, thank You that in Jesus I am rich in mercy. Thank You for placing Your Spirit within me and preparing good works for me to walk in. I receive this day as a chance to remember the poor with eager love. I praise You that You supply seed to the sower and bread for food. Lord, I trust You to open my eyes, guide my hands, and express Your generosity through me in ways that honor the people You love.