Proverbs Chapter 31

Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV) "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

I recently heard a speech given by a biker representing Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA). Here was this burly biker type who was obviously very emotional and passionate about the cause for which he was involved. He told stories about children he had come into contact with through BACA. Most of these children came from broken homes and were abused in one way or another. The stories he told were heartbreaking. He explained how he and his associates in BACA stood up for and cared for these helpless children. He also told us how in the process of caring for them, they touched his heart as nothing else ever did.

He may not have known it but he was a living example of the truth and exhortation in Proverbs 31:8,9. He opened his mouth for those who had no voice. He stood up for the rights of the downtrodden and destitute. He defended the rights of the poor and needy. I don’t know if he was a Christian or not but from the content of his speech I suspect he was. I do know that he lived this verse in the way that should be indicative of our churches.

It seems to me that we in the modern evangelical church ought to be about God’s business in all of it’s facets. We like to preach the Gospel, as we should be doing. We like to disciple our new believers, as is our duty. We teach and preach and sing and worship in our Sunday services. It is good and right that we do so. While we are doing these necessary and Godly things we must not forget that there are people in our communities who will not be reached unless we reach down to them, stand up for them and speak up for them. It may not be easy but then standing for what is true and right is seldom easy.

We don’t all need to join BACA or any of the numerous civic organizations in our country who serve the poor and needy. However, if we are to live the whole Gospel we ought to seek out ways to live the truth of today’s verse. It may be lending a helping hand to an elderly neighbor. It may be that we give of our resources to help feed someone who is hungry. Whatever the case may be, we should seek to do something for those who can’t do for themselves.

God help us to speak up and stand up for the weak. Show us how to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Point us to those who are physically, emotionally and spiritually needy. Help us to show Your love to those around us who so desperately need to feel loved. Amen!