08/22/2014 SPEAK UP Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 Some people cannot speak up for themselves. The widow and orphan who are in distress desperately need compassionate and competent advocates. Children trapped in human trafficking need to be rescued by the righteous. The unborn’s muted cry cries for a merciful voice. A foster child who is emotionally ravished prays for a family to speak up and invite him into their home. The poor and needy need legal, economic and spiritual advocacy to advance them forward. All around us, groups and individuals are stuck for lack of one person who will boldly speak up. We who are saved are called by our Savior to say something--to do something. If we won’t, who will? How can we remain unmoved while one child remains exploited, one family famished for lack of food, one orphan homeless, or one widow in need of a warm house? We have an obligation, a duty to speak up for those whose rights have been trampled, even dismissed. Social systems are limited and have little spiritual discernment or assets. But those of us, who have been rescued by the grace and love of our Lord God are rich in His resources. We must speak up! “Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, ‘Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly’” (1 Samuel 19:4). Almost every day we have opportunities to leave someone exposed to criticism or speak up on their behalf. Who can we defend at work? An associate who may have lost favor with a peer or supervisor? When a friend or family member is spoken ill of, we can point out their good traits and give them the benefit of the doubt. Silence is not an option for a courageous and caring heart. Yes, love has the back of those who don’t know what they don’t know. Love can’t keep quiet! Above all, where do we need to speak up for our Savior’s sake? He does not need defending, but we need to be clear where we stand with Christ. We speak up for what breaks His heart. We are on a justice mission to fight injustices. We serve sinners for whose sins Jesus died. We speak up for the lost in prayer, so they might come to celebrate in song the saving grace of God. Jesus speaks up today and says, “I forgive you,” so we speak up and say, “I forgive you.” He says, “I love you,” so we say, “I love you.” What our Master says to say and do, we say and do! “Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them” (Jeremiah 18:20). Prayer: Heavenly Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me courage to speak up. Related Readings: Genesis 50:4; 1 Kings 2:19; Ezekiel 3:17; John 12:49; Ephesians 4:25,
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:27:01 +0000
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