“He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Psalm 146:6-9 NIV
While pastors, preachers, and teachers often reference the Beatitudes, Acts 2, or various words of Jesus to highlight how God views those who are “less than,” and how churches should care for them, the Old Testament is also full of examples that demonstrate God’s heart of grace and justice.
Several of the OT prophets identify God as a God of justice who sees those who are broken and in despair, and His expectation that they be seen and cared for by His people. Like this passage, several entries in Psalms do as well. Unfortunately, political preferences and economic reasoning usually complicates or turns people off to the ideal of practical life-giving generosity and recognition of the reconciliation needed among our social, economic, and racial makeup. If you feel less than, God sees and loves you! As the above passage affirms, He indeed remains faithful forever.
Action: Think about how you can give and/or encourage people in need this month. Volunteer for a role in our community ministries, give a donation of money/food/clothes, or perhaps listen and affirm the experiences of someone different than you. Pray that God would give you opportunities to step into, and the courage to not let them pass.