MEMORISE
"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise," says the LORD (Psalm 12:5a).
READ:
Psalm 12:1-8
[1]. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
[2]. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
[3]. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things,
[4]. Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?”
[5]. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
[6]. The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.
[7]. You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
[8]. The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
EXPOSITION
As today commemorates International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, it is always comforting to know that God will bring forth justice for the poor and needy, especially the less privileged who suffer injustice. We may ask, "Is God bias towards the poor?" But from the perspective of the text for today, we can say that it is a wrong question to ask, because Psalm 12 charts out certain emphasis on God's attention to the poor. God is never biased towards anyone. Instead, what God is concerned about is that His justice be done and that we have love for one another. Check it: God will arise to mete out His justice because the poor are plundered and the needy are in pain.
While we are comforted by the truth that God fights for the poor and needy, we can be less comfortable learning about "who" He has been calling to fight for the poor and needy-the Church. The Church has a lot to learn and do where our calling to watch out for the poor and needy is concerned. There abounds instances of employees suffering abuse in terms of low pay and bad working environments. Single parents are forced to raise children on their own, either because their spouses dishonoured their marriage vows, or death came calling! Oldies are chased out of their homes by their children because they want to make a fast profit from the sale of the house. Children grew up scarred for life due to physical and emotional abuse from their own parents or step parents. The Lord is calling the Church to rise, as the poor are plundered, and the needy groan. We must not fail!
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 568
1. What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs' to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations!
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness:
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care
Precious Saviour, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help the Church to hear and heed Your call for us to be beacon of light and comfort for the poor and needy.
2. Cause Your name to be glorified as the Church carries out Your mission for justice, peace and reconciliation, O Lord.
3. Pray for CAC Orekoya Region, our father in the Lord, the Superintendent, and its officers at the various levels, as led by the Spirit of God
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Matthew 25:14-26:68
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (International Day for the Eradicationof Poverty) TOPIC: THE GOD OF THE POOR){kind=link}