Tread lightly when walking through the valley of the oppressed. For the one who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Do you feel anything in your heart for the ones who need your help: who need your love? It is the desire of God, that you bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, and to comfort all who mourn. By doing so, God says you bestow on them a crown of beauty; a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. And you will be called oaks of righteousness.
You should live in harmony with the poor and be sympathetic. Love as brothers being compassionate and humble. It is God's desire that we seek justice for the oppressed, showing them the mercy of our hearts. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior may be ashamed of their slander.
Are you keeping a blind eye to all the oppression going on around you, disregarding their pain and suffering? Are you hiding in your safe places thinking that is not my concern? If so, your reward from God will be of this world, not from the heart of the Father.
In every heart there is a candle; some shining bright and some dark as coal. How does your candle measure up? Do you feel convicted to change and be what God desires you to become? Pray to your God to send His Spirit to ignite the fire in your heart. Become a light in the darkness of the oppressed and the poor. Seek out the ones wandering in hopelessness and confusion. Take out your candle and "light up your world".
It is my prayer that as Christians, we ask to be lead by the Spirit of God to walk:
"In the Valley of Oppression"
That they may see the light of Jesus in the darkness of their world...
Max Lucado Proverbs 14 Isaiah 61 1Peter 3 Cory Nelson Phil Fletcher
Kathy Troccoli Michael Orndorf
Don't just stand there--Do something!
Bill, thank you for saying so. It is so important to remember the poor & the oppressed.
ReplyDeleteWe should all make an effort to encourage the oppressed, whether they are financially poor or wealthy. I do some, but not enough.
We trade the spirit of heaviness, when we put on the garments of praise.
Singing, clapping, dancing, giving shouts of adortation unto the Lord, and intimate worship is true high-praise and by the Holy Spirit, He will escort you out of the valley of oppression, or the season of dryness & into the streams in the desert where the oil flows, moisturizing your soul. Amen.