READ: Proverbs 31

THINK: This chapter is best known for the epilogue to the book of Proverbs concerning The Wife of Noble Character. But something I find particularly interesting about it is that the description of the wife of noble character ties in to the part of the chapter that proceeds it. Verses 8-9 implore us to, “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.” Then verse 20 says that the noble wife, “opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

This theme of caring for the poor and the oppressed, of standing with those who are marginalized and in need, is not just found in Proverbs 31. It is highlighted here. But it is also highlighted in over 20 different books of the Bible, time and time again. Clearly this is an issue that is close to God’s heart. And I am forced to wonder – and forced to ask myself – as we approach yet another 21^st century American-style Christmas: how are we doing with caring for the poor? What kind of a job are we doing when it comes to our Biblical call to stand with and stand for the weakest and most vulnerable in our world?

One Sunday evening, William Booth – the man who had founded the Salvation Army over his concern for the least and the lost in Victorian London – was walking along with his son, Bramwell, who was then 12 or 13 years old. He shocked his son by taking him into an East London saloon! The place was crowded with men and women who bore the scars – emotional and physical – of a lifetime of hard knocks, crime, and addiction. Many of the patrons were missing teeth, and the stench of alcohol and tobacco was overwhelming. Booth looked down at his wide-eyed son and instructed him, “Look around you son. These are our people! These are the people I want you to live for and bring to Christ.” Bramwell Booth went on to dedicate his life to that very purpose, to those very people.

I find William Booth’s statement to be profoundly theological and incredibly challenging each time I remember this story. “These are our people.” They are ours. God has set them in front of us and called us to bring the glorious liberating truth of the gospel to them. He has called us to set them free from captivity and to feed them and to clothe them and to care for them and to love them. These are our people.

Christmas in America tends to be a time that is focused on either one of 2 things: getting things for ourselves or giving more to those around us who already have much. Neither really captures the vision of William Booth. Neither really takes seriously the words of Proverbs 31 – and so many other Bible passages. So the question that I want to leave you with this Christmas – it is no simple question and living out the answer will be no simple task – is this: who are these people in your life? Who are the least and the lost, the poor and the needy, the marginalized and the voiceless in your world – right in front of you – that you need to be radically exemplifying Christ to this Christmas?

PRAY: Pray that God would open your eyes to the people in your world whom he has called you to see as your people – the people he is calling you to live for and bring to Christ. Ask him to show you the ways and the places where he wants you to stand in solidarity with the poor and defend the defenseless and provide for the destitute. And then commit to doing it. And then thank him – profusely – for the awesome privilege it is to get the chance to be a part of what he is doing in our world!

READ: Exodus 13-14. Take your time as you read. Instead of breezing through a familiar story, put yourself in the position of one of the Israelites. Try to imagine the sights and the sounds and the smells. Try to imagine the exhilaration and nervousness as you prepare to leave the only life – a life of slavery – that you have ever known and set out towards freedom. Imagine the emotional roller-coaster of tasting the freedom in one moment and then in an instant seeing the mighty army of Pharaoh bearing down on you with no route of escape. Picture yourself in the moment. Try to think about how you would have felt when Moses gave the instruction in that moment to simply be still.

THINK: “Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” – Exodus 14:13-14

These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.”

But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.”

We must be doing something at once—we must do it so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.” But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still;”—keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”

By: Charles Spurgeon

PRAY: All of us have gone through trials in our lives. All of us have been in difficult situations. Our tendency is to try to solve our issues on our own, and rush headlong into whatever solution seems best at the time. Ask God to help you remain still today. Confess the times where you’ve trusted yourself and your own understanding more than you trusted him. Confess the times where you’ve doubted. And commit to trusting God in all of the difficult places that will lie ahead. He’s the only one worth trusting.