Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees,
who write oppressive statutes,
to turn aside the needy from justice
and to rob the poor of my people of their right,
that widows may be your spoil,
and that you may make the orphans your prey!
What will you do on the day of punishment,
in the calamity that will come from far away?
To whom will you flee for help,
and where will you leave your wealth,
so as not to crouch among the prisoners
or fall among the slain?
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is stretched out still.
Yesterday we talked about God’s great compassion for the neediest of His children. Today’s passage is an added exclamation point.
Most of us reading this devotion are not legislators, and even if we vote every few years with the conviction that we are helping the poorest and neediest of people, it’s likely that we will not individually be able to change unjust laws.
However, we as a church, a denomination and a global Christian body, have enormous power to protect the widow and orphan. We have the combined financial power to protect refugees, save victims of domestic abuse, and support the education of children across the world. It is so important for us to be responsible managers of our finances because there are so many needy people that are praying for a miracle. We can be the answer to those prayers.
Let’s recap our takeaways from this week:
- Everything belongs to God
- Live simply and find joy
- Our generosity is for our spiritual benefit
- Invest in the riches of the kingdom
- Submit yourself to God’s will
- Build the kingdom
- Be the answer to prayers
