Standing firm
To hear the groans of the prisoners
To set free those who were doomed to die. Psalm 102:20
Read 1 Kings 21:17—21
Because the Lord is the protector of the alien, the orphan and the widow, because he has declared that the poor will always be with us and our hand will always be open to them, I don’t think I can avoid having to stand firm in the face of exploitation. And I don’t think I can avoid the need for both discernment and courage. It is easy, when the exploiter is powerful, to doubt myself. Even easier when, as in this case, they are figures of authority. Or they can quote their legal entitlements. May God supply me this courage. May I stand firm in the place of my prayer.
You are a holy and righteous God. You would have me tenacious to stand with those for whom I pray. I pray to you in a long line of those who have gone before, who have known your character and have been strong on behalf of the weak, resistant to tyranny and the abuse of power. Let me know the spirit of Elijah. Let me be like the apostle John who said, ‘I must obey God rather than man.’ Let me be tender-hearted to the exploited and hard-hearted against the exploiter. Give me discernment to know when to speak and when to keep silent. May Christ rule my heart in these things.