STand Up for the Powerless

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “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)
       Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

         Oppression comes in many forms in this world under the sun. It is seen in a tyrannical dictator who uses the force of a military to keep power and squash any dissent. It is seen in a business charging exorbitant interest to those who are desperate for some money, but are not financially astute to understand they are just getting deeper into a trap of financial trouble. It is seen in cartels placing people desperate to get out of one situation into a place of servitude in another. It is seen in the lies of an abortion industry telling women that a baby in the woman is not really alive and that it a good decision to abort that child.
        All of these and more are situations in a world where the sin nature of man expresses itself in self-centered oppression by the powerful over those who are less powerful. The church needs to stand up and be a voice for the powerless. Solomon observed the oppression and wrote about it in Ecclesiastes, but he didn’t do anything about it as the king. We serve the King of Kings who cares for the child, the poor, and the abused. We must stand up and speak on their behalf and do whatever we can to help through ministries and advocating sound, public policy.     

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)