Who Do You Help and Defend?

Meditate. What can you do for the Lord today?

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17 

Fight for those who can’t defend themselves. It isn’t hard to find oppressed these days, but it is harder to help them. Just who are these “oppressed” people? I imagine that they are ones without jobs and coming to the end of their resources for food and housing; those who are stressed by this whole COVID pandemic. Besides praying, one way to help them is just to give money to food banks so that they have resources to provide food for the needy and oppressed. Now that thrift stores are opening up again and taking donations, we can give out of the abundance of our closets and cupboards. I know some people who have spent their time of isolation doing lots of spring cleaning. Others have moved and so they have downsized their belongings. They have lots of bags and boxes of wealth that were just waiting to be redistributed. Remember that verse about not storing up things here on earth? Well, as we look to the future, we know that we won’t need a bunch of wealth here on earth. Store up your treasures in heaven where moths and rust won’t affect it.

Wisdom from God's Word is the key.
What are you learning today?
How are you applying it to your life?

Learn to do good. Where can we do that? I think that the best place from which to gain wisdom and understanding…learning is the Bible. There are 102 verses that focus on “do good” in the Old and New Testament. Here are a few that tell us to do good.

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:14-17

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14

But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27

And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! Luke 6: 33

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. Proverbs 4:7

This verse below is more specific…care for orphans and widows.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27 

Refuse to let the world corrupt you.  That is a good and challenging thing to do. Refuse corruption. We are about to have a major election of our nation’s leaders. Don’t let anyone “sway” your opinion or corrupt you into thinking who is the best candidate. Think for yourself. In choosing wisely, you are seeking justice for our nation. Your vote and your opinion matter.

Of course, the thing that matters most in life is “Who is Jesus to you?” Is He your Lord and Savior? Can you admit that like everyone, you are a sinner according to Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23? Do you believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and that He rose from the dead, Romans 10:9-10?  Can you call on the name of the Lord and be saved, Romans 10:13? 

We don’t know the hour or the day when Christ will return for His church, we just know that He will. Will you be ready then by receiving Him now?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I am privileged to call You my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You died so that I might live. I am eternally grateful.

Verses of Salvation ~ Jesus said…"The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."  John 10:17-18

Jesus sacrificed His life voluntarily for us, so that we can be saved from the punishment of our sins. Accept His gift of salvation while there is still time.

© 2020 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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