THE LORD SPOKE (October 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Jeremiah 20-22

Jeremiah 22:16 - “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.

This theme is oft-repeated in Scripture. So much so that you come away with the impression that it’s quite important to God!

Psalm 82:3-4 - “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Proverbs 31:9 - “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Romans 15:1 - “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

James 1:27 - “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress....”

This is more than just cheering for the underdog. It’s certainly more than tossing a quarter in the Salvation Army pot.

Who might be the “poor and needy” in your circle of influence? Certainly children would count (especially unborn infants). Obviously the handicapped. Even the physically weak, or the not-so-good-looking or not-particularly-endowed, i.e. the ones who often get shunned or picked on in our society. Foreigners would frequently qualify. The Bible specifically mentions widows. And, of course, there are lots of people around us who don’t have much to live on - maybe not even much to eat or wear.

You could...

• speak up (on their behalf)
• turn up (to support them)
• cheer up (those who are down-trodden)
• fix up (their broken world)

or maybe...

• shut down (the forces that are working against them).

Then you could...

• find out (what they need most)
• throw out (the bad attitudes you’ve developed against them yourself)
• turn out (to combat those who put them down)
• lash out (against their oppressors - that’s not unbiblical, you know! You just don't use the weapons of this world to do so. See II Cor. 10:3-5.)

or even...

• stick in (a good word for them, about them, and to them).

There does seem to be quite a lot we can do to defend the cause of the poor and needy!


Psalms 65-66

“Make his praise glorious!” (Ps. 66:2). That’s an argument for the finest of special music on Sunday. No more of this shoddy, unprepared, half-hearted performance that makes the listener grit his teeth and hope for the last flat note. Certainly, no more of this performance that draws attention to the performer.

But it’s an argument for excellence in other things as well. God, who made us, is pleased whenever we do things with perfection. He takes delight in a painting well-painted, in a cake well-baked and decorated, in a project well-planned and well-executed. Sure, it can be done for selfish and wrong motives and for the praise of self. But when done with the desire to honor Him, it is the highest form of praise. Words of praise are turned into acts which exalt the Lord and draw attention to His attributes. Others are able to see His glory too and are encouraged to praise Him.

How can we ensure that our praise is genuine and makes Him yet more glorious?

1. Talk about Him. The psalm says “shout” (vs. 1), “sing” (vs. 2), and “cry out” (vs. 17). Brag on the Lord; tell others what He has done.
2. Review the past. Consider His awesome works as recorded in the Bible (vs. 5-6). Remember what He has done for you (vs. 9,16).
3. Come to Him. Draw near and consider His goodness. Cast yourself upon His graces. Submit to Him. Give Him full control of your disposition.
4. Confess your sin. Nothing will destroy this communion more quickly than unconfessed sin (vs. 18) and nothing will make it more sweet than confessed sin and the warmth of forgiveness that follows.
5. Keep your word. Vows are not wrong - unkept vows are! Make some promises to God and then keep them (vs. 13-14).
6. Stay close to the fire. The refiner’s fire will purge you; the restorer’s fire will warm you; and the redeemer’s fire will ignite your soul.