Justice For The Poor And Needy

Have you ever been told the reason an ostrich hides its head in the sand is that it is frightened? If you have and you believe it, you have been led astray. They do, however, run in circles when they are frightened. And the male ostrich will dig a hole that is six feet by eight feet where the female ostrich lays her eggs. Perhaps this nesting story is the source of the idea of an ostrich hiding its head.

There are times, however, when most of us “feel” like hiding our heads underneath a pillow or standing behind an object where no one can see us. Often, we are filled with a sense of inadequacy or “beneath others” because everyone seems to have more than we have or be more capable of doing things than we are. Or, perhaps, we feel “poor” in the sense that we have not been blessed by God as much as others.

David had a solution for this “feeling:” “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor, and upholds the cause of the needy.” In other words, David wants us to know that things are like they are because God designed them as they are for His purpose. If we feel poor – or lacking, – God will “make things right” because He is ultimately responsible for everyone’s well-being and treated equally with justice. Our God is a just God and will not allow His own to suffer unfairly. He is at work completing His ultimate purpose for our lives.

 David also wrote that “God will uphold the needy.” It may be that when our wants exceed our resources, He is asking us to evaluate our priorities. His love always surrounds us and directs us as His plan to make us Christ-like unfolds.

Prayer:  Lord, when things aren’t right, it does not mean that You are treating us wrong. It means it is time to trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor, and upholds the cause of the needy. Psalm 140:1