Speak Up for Those Who Cannot (Proverbs 31:8-9)
By: Amanda Idleman
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” - Proverbs 31:8-9
In a world filled with injustice, what is the role of Christ-followers to help those who are in need? Is it our job to speak up and to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves? Is our inability to speak on these issues really a sin or just a harmless choice to side-step something that feels hard?
Thankfully, the Bible has a lot to say about justice, mercy, service, love, and our role in being a help to our fellow man. The Word of God can be our guide as we live through a time when our world is pushing conflicting messages at us that can feel impossible to navigate. The Bible is our rock and our solid ground; while a storm of uncertainty rages around us. God’s Word can be a lamp to our feet as we live through dark times.
Proverbs 31:8-9 is a clear mandate to be people who stand up for the defenseless and demand justice. This verse answers with a resounding “yes” to the question, should believers speak up when we see injustice being carried out around them. The wisdom of God’s word pushes us to move past our affiliations, comfort zones, and tells us each to be an advocate for those we come across in our lives that need help being heard.
Inaction is not something the Bible makes room for. What an uncomfortable truth, for me and for all of us who would rather live life blinded to the needs of others in our communities.
How then do we speak for those who are lacking a voice?
First, We start by listening.
Proverbs 1:5 says, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” If we want to be the voice for the voiceless we first have to be willing to hear what they are saying so we can speak up with wise words.
Next, we get on our knees and pray.
Begin by prayerfully examining your hearts and ask God to reveal ways that you have let apathy, comfort, or ignorance stop you from speaking up for those that need your voice. Take time to seek God to discover His heart for the “least of these” in our world. Ask God how He can use you as an agent of God’s healing power in our broken world.
Pray for God to show you how and when to speak. God wants to uniquely use each of us and the gifts he has given us as his vessels of love, justice, mercy, and grace. Isn’t this the picture of the body of Christ painted in the New Testament? Every believer uses their gifts so the whole body is able to work together in unity. When we all embrace this idea then our neighbor in need is taken care of.
Lastly, we take God-inspired action.
Micah 6:8 in the Message version says, “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.” Let’s take God seriously and begin to do what he tells us to do in the Bible. Live with compassion, love, and seek justice for those in need.
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page, Blog or follow her on Instagram.
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