I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. (Nehemiah 5:6, ESV)
When Nehemiah heard about the poverty and the corruption that was happening, he grew angry. He was not happy at how people had been treated and how they had suffered injustice.
Jesus tells us that the poor will always be with us. Poverty often happens because of a mindset. But poverty also happens because of oppression. Contrary, to what some will tell you, there are some situations where no amount of positive thinking is going to lift up someone who is facing injustice. There needs to be something more.
There are evil intentions in the hearts of many. Oppression is a result. Some will take advantage of other people in their disadvantage.
It did not sit right with Nehemiah. And it should not sit right with us. There are things that God loves. There are also things at which God is angry. When Jesus came into the temple on Palm Sunday, it says he was indignant. In other words, he was angry.
You have blessings in your life. And there are reasons those blessings come your way. Those blessings are as much for others as they are for you. God desires you to use the gifts you have been given towards the benefit and welfare of others.
May we love what God loves and be angry at the things at which God is angry. May we be moved to action. We pray that injustice would not sit well with us and that we will alway fight for what is right. May we not be reluctant to use the gifts God gives us to aid others – even if it means burden and hardship for us.
Reflection
- Where do you see oppression and injustice taking place?
- How can you respond to this situation?
Prayer
Lord, there is great suffering in this world. We see oppression and injustice at work. Lord move our hearts towards compassion and move us to fight for the things that our right. May we be a voice for the voiceless and the hand for the helpless. Amen.
Leave a Reply