Justice For The Poor And Needy

Have you ever been told the reason an ostrich hides its head in the sand is because it is frightened? If you have and you believe it, you have been led astray. They do, however, run in circles when they are frightened. And the male ostrich will dig a hole that is six feet by eight feet for the female ostrich to lay her eggs in. This is where the fable of the ostrich hiding its head seems to have come from.

There are times, however, when most of us “feel” like hiding our heads underneath a pillow or standing behind an object where no one can see us. Often we are filled with a sense of inadequacy or “beneath others” because everyone seems to have more than we do or be more than we are. Or, perhaps, we feel “poor” in the sense that we have not been blest by God as much as others.

David had a solution for this “feeling”: “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor; and upholds the cause of the needy.” In other words, David wants us to know that things are like they are because God designed them as they are for His purpose. If we feel poor - or lacking, - God will “make things right” because He is ultimately responsible for everyone being treated rightly and with justice. Our God is a just God and will not allow His own to suffer unfairly. He is at work working His will.

David also wrote that “God will uphold the needy.” It may be that when our needs exceed our resources He is trying to get our attention to trust Him. His love always surrounds us as His plan to make us Christlike unfolds.

Prayer: Lord, when things aren’t right it does not mean that You are treating us wrong. It means it’s time to trust You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 140:12 I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.