Psalm 69:26 
“For they persecute those you wound
 and talk about the pain of those you hurt.”
(NIV)

“To the one you have punished, they add insult to injury; 
they add to the pain of those you have hurt.”
(NLT)

—

King David felt like someone had kicked him while he was down. From the sound of things, he felt like lots of people had kicked him while he was down. 

Have you noticed how so many people enjoy it when people of prominence and significance fall or fail? People probably should rejoice when evil is undone, but most of our leaders are not evil. I may strongly disagree with someone whose politics I don’t care for, but I really don’t want abject humiliation or outright death for that person. A change of heart is good. A refocused mind is helpful. Death, however, is definitely the point of no return. 

Here’s a thought: The next time you hear about someone going down and going down hard, pray for them. When you see that person being kicked around, send them an appropriate gift. Let them know they have a friend in you.  You don’t have to agree on everything to be friends. You don’t have to agree on much of anything to be kind. 

There was a guy I know who was going through a very difficult season in his life after being forced out of his position. The person who stepped into his role on an interim basis afterward took a good, hard look at why he was pushed out. He listened to all of the complainers. He examined all the evidence. And then he invited the former leader to join him for lunch. 

They met in a different town. The interim leader asked the former leader relevant questions. He got both sides of the story. Equipped with those points of fact, he responded publicly at the next opportunity. He strongly supported the previous leader. He noted his character and his heart. He asked for repentance from those who were kicking that leader while he was down. 

That was a kindness the former leader would never forget. He also learned to pay it forward. A prominent friend of his went down and went down hard. Yes, he did some stupid things. Yes, it caused enduring and painful results for many people. At the first opportunity, however, he was told, “You need a friend right now. I will be your friend.” 

If you’ve ever been kicked while you were down, you understand how humiliating and hurtful that is. One day someone you know is going to fall and fall hard. You can join the line of those who are kicking that person while he or she is down, or you can join the much shorter line in helping them get up, dust themselves off, and begin again more intelligently. 

Which line would Jesus join? There is only one correct answer here. The Apostle Paul helps us understand what Jesus would do in Romans 2:4. It says, in part, “Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” 

Imagine that. 

Jesus uses kindness to turn our hearts toward him. Jesus uses our kindness to turn other hearts toward him. 

The question is, “Who needs your kindness today?” I guess the answer is “Everyone.”

—

I will join the short line of kindness to those who are being kicked around. 

—

Our Father, having been kicked around, I don’t want to be kicked around anymore. Having been kicked around, I don’t want anyone else to be kicked around. Help me understand, and help me help others understand, that kicking people when they’re down does no service to them, to us, or anyone else. Help me understand, and help me help others understand, that your kindness is what draws people to you, not our self-righteousness and so-called justice. Amen.