Who Speaks For Them? :: Proverbs 31:8-9
January 29th, 2007
Eric Clarke
I was watching a video tape recently with some folks from our church who are interested in helping elderly people with their struggles and problems. The subject matter of the program was touching.
It dealt with people who have reached a place in life where they can no longer meet all the demands of life on their own. It described the struggles that some face with their loss of independence and how many times they need advocates to help them through the trials that come as we age.
And I thought “How many people (young, old, disabled, or disadvantaged) have been minimized or marginalized because they were unable to advocate for themselves.”
Who will speak for the needy?
God says that we, the godly, should speak for the needy…
Proverbs 31:8-9
8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
We are commanded to defend and protect those who are unable to care for themselves. We should be advocates for the destitute, defenders of the poor, and helpers to the helpless.
How am I helping the cause of the needy?
What can I do today to come to the aid of the poor?
Perhaps this is difficult because it might expose us to the difficult side of life. It might take up some of our time or money or both. It might make us uncomfortable. We might even be taken advantage of.
Besides, my help would only be a drop in the bucket, the need is so great.
Does it really matter? Doesn’t God already know all this? Of course He does! And He still calls us to help.
Maybe it is because EVERY individual is precious to Him and if we only help one person for one day it pleases Him.
Father, make us a people of compassion pleading the cause of the voiceless. Amen.