“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall and like the heat of the desert” (Isaiah 25:4-5).
Heavenly Father, You are Lord of all! "Everything under heaven belongs to You" (Job 41:11). You are not dazzled, impressed or influenced by what humans consider to be of worth. You do not assign value based on temporal things. Our Lord Jesus, in speaking to religious leaders "who loved money" Luke 16:14), told them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15).
Lord, You alone judge correctly, with perfect vision, and perfect justice, for "with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chronicles 19:7). You make no distinction based on means, because "Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all" (Proverbs 22:2).
You know the deep flaws of the human heart—greed, corruption, abuse, injustice, favoritism, and unscrupulousness. And because You know the ruthlessness and the cruelty of greed and power, You have always established protective laws for the poor and the needy. You instruct Your people to act on their behalf, and You hear their cries against oppression and injustice: “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them” (Psalm 12:5).
We know that many are still crying out to You for justice, and for relief from oppression. Often, we do not understand Your plans or Your timing. But Your word tells us that "the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient... not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Thank You Lord for all the ways You are working that we cannot see. Thank You that You have "made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). And ultimately, Lord, when the things of this earth will have passed away, rich or poor will be of no consequence. You will judge all things with perfect justice, "for the Lord [our] God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality" (Deuteronomy 10:17).
Above all, O Father, You provide eternal refuge and shelter for those who recognize their spiritual poverty and accept Your saving grace through Jesus Christ. Thank You for His assurance, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).
Thank You for the promise and the hope in John's vision of "they who have come out of the great tribulation":
“They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat” (Revelation 7:15-16).
Comentários