Proverbs 28:5
Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely.
He explained that when we are young children, or immature, all justice and fairness issues in life revolve around us, but when we have matured in the Lord, justice then becomes about others. It is then you become willing to step out to change a wrong you see being done to someone else.
Deuteronomy 24:17-22
"True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to ORPHANS, and you must never accept a widow's garment in pledge of her debt. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I have given you this command.
When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do. When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don't go over the boughs twice. Leave some of the olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. This also applies to the grapes in your vineyard. Do not glean the vines after they are icked, bu leave any remaining grapes for he foreigners, orphans, and widows. Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.
A special friend of mine and I have been discussing how we have been asked to step out into an area we do not have the money to complete. In doing this, God has shown us many things and we believe we are to share His heart for the orphan. Maybe that is why He chose us for this mission? I don't know. I know that during the study yesterday, Doug said we all need to remember a time when we had a need, and it was not met, and how we felt. How weak we became in this need. He said that God knows if we understand what it means to be weak or helpless, and it is remembering these times and how we felt that will help strengthen us to take a stand and "make you a great carrier of His justice."
So many people think the expenses of adoption are benefiting the family, or the country directly, and they see this as the injustice. That is wrong. There are many people involved in the adoption process both in our own country and the country of the child being adopted. Yes, it would be nice if some fees were reduced, but people need their jobs to support their own families, and yes, it is hard to see some countries benefiting from orphans in any way. BUT, reality is this price it takes to free the orphan and give them a safe and loving family has become a RANSOM on their life. So many families would adopt if it wasn't for the cost, it is too high a price for an average, loving family to bear alone. Please consider becoming part of a group that will rescue Krystyna, and then maybe more children from bondage. Here is an example of how all Christ's church can stop looking the other way. Krystyna's "Ransom" could be paid with 100 people pledging $100 each. It can be all at once or $50 for two months. That would cover the Ukrainian legal expenses. Her immediate need is $3000 in the month of March to send our dossier and begin the process within the Ukrainian courts.
Luke 11:42
But how terrible it will be for you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things.
Doug expressed how it breaks Gods heart when we neglect the love of God, when we see a need and walk right by. WE miss the main point of what God is trying to teach us. Love one another.
Amos 5:21-24
"I hate all your show and pretense-the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry."
I know God has said to me, why don't we take a stand for the orphan the way William Wilberforce did to abolish slavery? Is it alright to turn a blind eye to children being exploited, or cast them aside just because it is a big problem, therefore we feel we can't make a difference? Justice . . . 143,000,000 orphans in the world! They circle the earth at the equator, shoulder to shoulder 4 times! Just because we can't make a dent we say, I will do nothing? Look into these eyes . . .
Think about what happens to these children when they age out of the orphanage. They are then homeless and on the streets. The sex traffickers are waiting, the criminals, and many commit suicide. How many are saying, I can't help them all? But now look at them and think what would I do if I knew that was my daughter, or my son? Would you do something then to keep your daughter or your son from such a life? Something to consider. If you feel compassion, love, you are feeling the heart of God within you.
I will leave you with Scripture that caught my attention last year quite strongly. It was Isaiah sharing about how true worship was more than religious ritual, going to church or fasting and reading the Scriptures. These people missed the point of a living, vital relationship with God.
Isaiah 58:6-7
No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Isaiah goes on to explain how you will then have a time of refreshment and blessings.
Isaiah 59 goes on to explain:
Isaiah 59:15-16
Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries to live a godly life is soon attacked.
The LORD looked and was displeased to find that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He himself stepped in to save them with his mighty power and justice.
Praise the LORD that He was willing to adopt me in my time of need. That He loved me enough to call me His child. I pray that I become more like you each day, teach me Your heart and Your ways.
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