“Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9
“Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1: 17
We are fortunate to have a High Priest who empathizes with us. (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Unfortunately, we are not always the same way with others. Instead, we often struggle to place ourselves in the shoes of other people or understand their unique perspective and experiences.
Rather than trying to show similar grace and mercy that our Heavenly Father shows us (Luke 6:36); we condemn, ridicule or ignore. This is not the response that God calls us to have when we see His children suffering.
Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs believers to use our voices to amplify the cause of those who are facing death or are poor and needy. Similarly, Isaiah 1:17 instructs us to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressor and defend those who lack the security and/or resources to do so themselves.
This requires intercession and empathy. It requires us to step outside of ourselves to understand someone else’s plight with God’s word and His Spirit guiding us.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me a heart that intercedes for and empathizes with those who are struggling. Teach me how to help them find their way back to you. Help me to be gracious and merciful to others just as you have been with me that I may be a responsible ambassador of Yours in Jesus’ name, Amen.