A daily study of Biblical scripture that is suggested in "The Present Word," based on the International Sunday School Lessons: International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching. (formerly SalemDailyBibleStudy.blogspot,com)
Defend the Poor and Needy
From Darkness to Light God's Call and Responsibilities Not Many Elite Called Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Proverbs 31:1-9 The Message
Speak Out for Justice
31 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
2-3 "Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God! Don't dilute your strength on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.
4-7 "Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer, Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt. Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
8-9 "Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the misfits. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
For Reflection
"There but for the Grace of God go I." This is a subtle recognition of our "exclusive" relationship with God. Others lose because they refuse to accept God's sovereignty; somehow, we think God has ignored them.
But life is not a zero-sum game. We who believe and are obedient are not blessed because others are not. We recognize the grace of God and attribute happiness and success to God. However, we rarely recognize that we are the bearers of the Grace of God.
Look around. Who could use a dose of God's grace? It is you who can deliver the grace of God to others. So what are you waiting for?
Pray
Pray that your sympathy for others is replaced by empathy. Pray that you will be a blessing to someone during each passing day.
