I will praise Him!
-
The promise of God’s help – photo by Karen Kitz
The LORD Hears the Needy
29 Saturday Apr 2017
Tag Archives: the poor
Securing Justice for the Poor
10 Monday Apr 2017
Tags
churches, churches in North America, compassion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, needy, praise, salvation, social justice, social justice issues, Suffering, the LORD, the poor
Reading: Psalm 140
(Verses 9-13)
Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence (NIV).
Reflection
Here is an observation I have made as a result of visiting and speaking at a wide variety of churches across this continent. Christians and Christian churches in North America appear to fall into two broad camps: Those that are primarily concerned about personal salvation, and those that are concerned mainly about social justice.
Land’s end — Corel photos
There’s often a considerable amount of tension between these two camps. Both are convinced they are doing the will of God as revealed in the scriptures, and they can quote chapter and verse to back up their particular perspective. So which position is correct?
The short answer is they are both right. The eternal destination of your soul is of primary importance, but love and compassion for others is central to the entire mission of Jesus, and the full scope of the scriptures. Today’s reading from Psalm 140 reminds that issues of justice and fairness rank high with the LORD. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
John, the apostle, gives us this perspective: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).
It got very messy when Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. A lot of blood was spilled. It was brutal beyond measure—humiliation and suffering beyond measure. Our personal salvation was messy—in every way a high cost affair. Are we willing to do the same for others? That’s what John is saying when he writes and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Now there’s a high calling. Do you want to change the world? It starts with a change in your heart. Jesus is in the heart changing business. I need an appointment with him. What about you?
Response: LORD God, I am selfish by nature. It’s not natural for me to think of others first. Help me to change. I want to genuinely care about others. Show me what I can to help because Jesus cares. Amen.
Your Turn: Should the church be involved in social justice issues or just stick to the salvation message?
The Rescuer
10 Saturday Dec 2016
Posted in Psalms, Saturday's Psalm
I will praise Him!
Manitoba sunrise — photo by David Kitz
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD
and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, LORD?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
(Psalm 35:10-11 NIV)
Who cares for the poor?
04 Thursday Aug 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
You, LORD God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble (Psalm 41:1, CEV).
Fountain, Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is rescuing.
Here’s an old saying, “What goes around, comes around.” It’s a handy proverb that applies in many situations. For example, if we are generous, people will in turn be generous with us. Or if we are cruel, at some point we can expect that others will treat us cruelly. In other words, we reap what we sow.
Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this principle.
You, LORD God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble (Psalm 41:1, CEV).
God will look after us if we will look after others. He will intervene in our lives and provide the help we need. The day is coming when our generosity will be rewarded. Hardhearted stinginess will be rewarded too, but it’s not the kind of reward that any of us want to get.
St. Paul amplifies these thoughts in his letter to the Galatians. You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord (Galatians 6:7-10).
Response: LORD God, open my eyes to the needs of others today. Show me how I can help in practical ways. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you experienced your generosity coming back to bless you?
Every Bone in my Body
22 Friday Jan 2016
Posted in Psalms
Every bone in my body will shout: “No one is like the LORD!” You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them (Psalm 35:10, CEV).
Sunset Glory – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.
God, help the poor. It seems like no one else will.
Of course that statement is an exaggeration, but there’s an element of truth to it. In a world where extreme wealth and extreme poverty live side by side, one wonders at the lack of care that we show for our fellow travelers on the road of life.
We find this advice in the Book of Proverbs: But you must defend those who are helpless and have no hope. Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless (Proverbs 31:8-9, CEV).
Do we give more than a passing thought to refugees fleeing war, or youth on the run from domestic violence? Ask yourself, am I reflecting the care the LORD has for the poor and needy?
Response: LORD God, no one is like you. You protect the helpless and save the poor. In my thoughts and conduct help me to be more like you. Amen.
Your Turn: Is there someone in need that you can help today?
Regard for the Weak
13 Tuesday Jan 2015
Tags
arrogance, compassion, David Kitz, Old Orchard Beach, pride, Psalms, the LORD, the needy, the poor, the weak
Reading: Psalm 41
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
(Verses 1-6)
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
The LORD protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
The LORD sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.
I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die and his name perish?”
When one of them comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it around. (NIV)
Reflection
Psalm 41 reminds us that compassion and empathy are at the core of what it means to be a follower of the LORD. David begins this psalm with this declaration, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.”
Old Orchard Beach, ME — David Kitz
Social justice and care for the poor are not small matters in eyes of LORD. Ancient Israel was destroyed and went into exile because of their disregard for the poor. The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the LORD, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 3:14-15).
Why is regard for the weak so pivotal in having a right relationship with God? Lack of care or empathy for the needy is based on a kind of self-deception. In arrogance we see ourselves as better than those who are weak or needy. Yet if we examine ourselves, we have all gone through times when we were weak and needy. Our current state of self-sufficiency can come to an end in a moment.
This morning I very nearly hit a pedestrian as she rushed across the street. I sounded my horn thinking she was in error. A quick glance showed she was crossing with the walk light. I was the one in error. I had completely missed a red light. I was the one in need of correction and forgiveness.
Are you doing well now? Praise God. The day will come when you need His help and protection. Do you see someone in need? Help as you are able. The day will come when you will need forgiveness and the help that you have offered others.
Response: LORD God, forgive me when I have looked down on others in need. Open my eyes to someone I may help today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: How do you keep yourself from the deception of pride?
I love the Psalms 