August 31st – Proverbs 31: Speak Up!

"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

My default is set to ALWAYS stand with and defend the poor, destitute and needy. I believe that it is the nature of God to always look to the needs of the weakest FIRST. If a couple comes to me with a marriage problem, I start with the assumption that the problem is the husbands fault or responsibility. Why? Because the bible tells us that the woman is the weaker partner!

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” I Peter 3:7

This doesn’t mean that it’s always the husbands fault (although it’s hovering near 95% for me), but it does mean the lion’s share of responsibility in the marriage falls on the man:

“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” – Ephesians 5:23

Men LOVE being in charge. They LOVE the authority that God grants them, sometimes reminding their wives to “submit” to them like the Bible tells them! But what they often fail to remember is that authority comes with a great price: responsibility. For example, we all know that the name of Jesus carries ULTIMATE power and ULTIMATE authority. The Bible tells us:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11

But like I love to tell people, whenever you see a “therefore”, go back and see what it’s there for! This passage begins with a “therefore” and we would be well served to see the genesis of Jesus’ power and authority. Many people like to believe that Jesus was granted His great power and authority from birth, but that’s not true! Jesus’ power and authority were not granted to Him upon birth, but upon His obedience!

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:5-9

Jesus humbled Himself to the will of God and became obedient to death, even death on a cross! THIS is the basis of His power and authority! Jesus took the responsibility for the redemption upon man upon Himself, qualifying Him to receive the power and authority over all creation!

LIFE LESSON:

We must use our power and authority granted by God not to serve ourselves, but to defend the poor, the needy and the destitute.