Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the lowly and the poor; from the hand of the wicked deliver them. (Psalm 82:3-4)
We are to follow the LORD, right? We are to let the LORD lead us in our lives, correct? We are to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth, remember? So, my dear friends, are you following these words from today’s Psalm? As our perpetual election season rolls on are you voting for leaders who do these works of the LORD? Do you defend the orphan or the child who is in a difficult situation? Do you serve those in “low” places? Do you seek to aid the poor? Do you look to create a society where those most vulnerable can be delivered from the wickedness of homelessness, abuse, drugs, poverty, war, or injustice? How about the leaders you select? Do they follow the LORD’s ways or are they themselves making your town, county, state, and nation a more difficult and unjust place to live? Maybe you can’t effect immigration policy, but you can welcome the refugee or pray for them! Maybe you can’t end the cycle of abuse or poverty, but you can donate to a shelter or a drug recovery program. Maybe you can’t change the unjust practices in our society, but you can show mercy and kindness to those in need. And, maybe you don’t think you can do anything of real meaning, but you can pray for the LORD’s help and you can pray for our leaders to follow the LORD’s ways! The poor and lowly and orphaned and destitute need you...will you help them, will you make sure they know they are loved, and will you help create God’s Kingdom here on earth by following his ways? May you live, love, and vote in such a way that exclaims, “YES” to these questions, my sisters and brothers in Christ! Amen