June 23, 2011 Protect the Weak

Protect the Weak
Isaiah 15 – 19

Isaiah 16:4-6 Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer. The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. 5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it — one from the house of David — one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. 6 We have heard of Moab’s pride — her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and her insolence — but her boasts are empty.

WHEN you were going to school—perhaps you still are—and you saw a bully pick on someone, what did you do? Perhaps you walked away, feeling sorry for the victim and wondering, “What should I do?”
God wants you to know his desire is to protect those who are weak. Someone may have been displaced because of war, natural disasters, economic breakdowns or relationship problems. Whatever the reason someone is a fugitive, we must find a way to shelter them from life’s “bullies”.
As Isaiah wrote this, war between Israel (the northern Kingdom) and Judah (the southern Kingdom) had caused people from Moab to the east of Israel/Judah, to become fugitives. They were victims of their neighbors’ war.
God steps in and says through Isaiah that he will establish a king to protect the fugitives. He will send the aggressor Israel away, and peace will come to Judah. His people in Judah are to shelter the war’s victims.
Are you feeling as a fugitive, bullied by circumstances out of your control? Are you wondering where you’ll find shelter? Then begin with the “shelter-provider”, the Lord God Almighty. In love, he established an eternal King to shelter you no matter what “bullies” you.


Pause and Consider: who needs your protection today?