Since my elementary school playground days, I’ve had a problem with people who picked on others.
On more than one occasion, I’ve found trouble because I confronted a bully’s abusive behavior toward somebody weaker.
Perhaps you also feel your blood beginning to boil when you see an abuser.
This emotional response is a faint reflection of the intercessory passion that God has for those who suffer because they are seen as worthless.
God knows better.
In fact, He asked His only Son Jesus to die for those “worthless” people on the cross, so anyone who thinks another human being has little or no value is actually calling God a liar.
And that, my friends, is not a smart thing to do.
In Isaiah 1, God is very clear in His disgust for people who treat others as meaningless garbage. His most pointed words are for the leaders of Jerusalem who were gripped by greed and blinded by bribes. Corruption was rampant in the judicial system, meaning that honest and humble people needing help were receiving none.
“Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.” (Isaiah 1:23)
The content of chapter makes it quite clear that these corrupted rulers were going to receive the justice from God that they deserved.
This serves as a reminder to us to be ever-vigilant in looking for people who need our help. Particularly those with nobody to speak up for them in the schools or in the workplace or in the neighborhood or in the extended family.
Perhaps you don’t know any orphans. But you could send some monthly financial support to an overseas orphanage associated with your congregation.
Perhaps you don’t have any widows in your extended family. But you could help a widow in your congregation who is frustrated by an ongoing billing problem or you could buy some grocery gift cards to share with a low-income widow in your neighborhood.
Perhaps you could even take her out for a nice breakfast or dinner now and then.
She’d love it.
God would, too.
As always, I love you
Martin
