Speak Up!

Good Morning,

Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
"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."

I wonder, sometimes, why the Lord sends verses with this theme...about helping and caring for others...across my desk with such regularity. I'm fairly well aware that, personally, I probably don't do quite as much as I could do for people who are less fortunate than me. I know that, in all likelihood, I should maybe do a bit more for the poor and needy. Perhaps these verses that are brought to my attention, and that I send along, are meant for ALL of us. You think?

In conjunction with these verses I read the following, which speak pretty directly with what I feel and what God has spoken in my mind. But, you know, it's always good to have another voice to hear on just about any subject. Keeps me from thinking too much of me and also sort of gives credence to what God is whispering to me. So, here's just a short message...

God's people in every era are called to defend the rights of the weak, speak up for the disenfranchised, and protect the lives of those who are vulnerable. This comprehensive call is the great reminder that the blessings, rights, wealth, and power we may have is not ours alone; it is a gift from God to be used to bless those who have no power to speak, to defend, or to protect themselves. (My thanks to the folks at "Today's Verse" for this.)

These words caused me to more fully understand something. That would be the fact that WE ARE CALLED by God...all of us and in every generation...to be the voice for those who aren't being heard. Yes, of course, we are to help people in more tangible and direct ways, we know that...I hope. But, we are also CALLED, and that would mean we are given not just a suggestion here, we are CALLED to speak up wherever and whenever we can to be a voice which will be heard in order that changes be made in the way we Christians, and society as a whole , treat the "weak...disenfranchised...vulnerable"; those whose voices are simply ignored or even not heard at all.

Something else that comes into my mind when verses of this genre come my way is whether people who read these words ever get tired of me "harping" about this subject. Then, when I begin to say "Okay. Enough is enough on this," I hear that little voice that reminds me it's not my place to decide what gets sent. Nor is it my business as to who reads these devotionals. And it certainly doesn't fall on me to know what is done or thought about what God has to say. He has to remind me every once in a while, "Don't be concerned about who pays attention or what is done. That's My business."

If you hear that little voice today after reading these verses which tells you that, perhaps, you should speak up, well, I would implore you to listen. Then, please, like a good child, do as you're told!

Love, peace, and blessings,

David