Jeremiah 5:26-29
“‘My people are infiltrated by wicked men, unscrupulous men on the hunt. They set traps for the unsuspecting. Their victims are innocent men and women. Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain, like a hunter’s bag full of birds. Pretentious and powerful and rich, hugely obese, oily with rolls of fat. Worse, they have no conscience. Right and wrong mean nothing to them. They stand for nothing, stand up for no one, throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor. Do you think I’ll stand by and do nothing about this?’ GOD’s Decree. ‘Don’t you think I’ll take serious measures against a people like this?’”
“‘Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait for victims like a hunter hiding in a blind. They continually set traps to catch people. Like a cage filled with birds, their homes are filled with evil plots. And now they are great and rich. They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?’ says the LORD. ‘Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?’”
God cares about the poor and their problems, having nasty things to say about those who abuse them. Christ grew up in a poor village. He spent his ministry among the disadvantaged. He trusted the disciples, ordinary men, to spread his message of God’s love and forgives. God works powerfully in the ordinary, among peoples like us. We have his presence to comfort when mistreated. Assuredly, he will even up the scales in his perfect time.
Lord, I am ordinary and also rich because I am an American. Let me see you present and at work in my daily life. Grant me wisdom and passion to step out on behalf of the world’s poor. Show me, grace me to your good purpose.