part of the turn

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about God’s view of the oppressed. During my reading today I came across Psalm 12:5,

“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise” says the Lord. “I will protect from those who malign them.”

I’m sure I’ve read that verse and many others like it before, but it really struck me today how passionately God stands with the oppressed and marginalized and how closely he identifies with them.

Just a bit later, God describes “evildoers” as “those who devour my people as men eat bread” and those who “do not call on the Lord” (Psalm 14:4). He even goes onto say in verse 6 that, “evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge”. To top it all off, the psalmist identifies the poor from verse 6 as “[the Lord's] people” whom he plans to restore (verse 7).

I guess the big question is, “do I stand with God for the oppressed?” Do I frustrate the plans of the poor or do I rise up, with God, in their defence?

Lord, help me to find your heart and truth in these matters and make them my own.