Jeremiah 22:1-3
“GOD’s orders: ‘Go to the royal palace and deliver this Message. Say, ‘Listen to what GOD says, O King of Judah, you who sit on David’s throne—you and your officials and all the people who go in and out of these palace gates. This is GOD’s Message: Attend to matters of justice. Set things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don’t take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering!’”
“This is what the Lord said to me: ‘Go over and speak directly to the king of Judah. Say to him, ‘Listen to this message from the Lord, you king of Judah, sitting on David’s throne. Let your attendants and your people listen, too. This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!’”
God’s reason for punishing and destroying Jerusalem is not immorality but justice. Immorality is but the prelude to murder. After murdering ourselves and loved ones by immoral living we turn to taking human life, covering it up with excuses. But the poor have a mighty champion. For centuries the church, on God’s behalf, stood in the gap for them. Now it is government, and unfortunately the connection of people helping people is lost. Let the church take notice. God doesn’t want programs. He wants justice. Programs may or may not get us there.
Lord, our church is doing some exciting things for the poor. I long to be apart of them. Instead, you have me here, isolated, and handicapped. Show me how I can still be a part of this work or give me peace that I cannot. Remind me to pray more for justice for the poor, especially in the undeveloped world. Let my salvation be an engine for this work, not a focus for self-indulgence.