Today’s Blog: The Oppressed and the Oppressor . . .

TODAY’S PROVERB: Do not rob a poor person because he is poor, nor crush the needy at the gate, for Adonai will plead their case, and rob life from those who plunder them. Proverbs 22:22-23, TLV

I remember that crushing feeling of fear. That at some point I would run into that bully alone and vulnerable. He would corner me again but next time, do worse to me than before. I was in seventh grade, he was in eighth, but he may as well have been Goliath because his six-foot frame towered over my five-feet.

Finally, I told my parents. My father’s first reaction was to drive over to the boy’s house and do him bodily harm. Fortunately, my mother called the kid’s mother and I never had a problem with him again.

An oppressor may think they’re getting away with their deeds, but our Heavenly Father has promised if the oppressor doesn’t repent and change their ways, He will take matters into His own hands. He will “drive over” to their house and take care of business. WHEN He does is in His timing — not ours.

What we can do is examine our own heart to make sure we aren’t guilty of marginalizing others because they can’t fight back. How? By treating the cashier disrespectfully because we’re in a bad mood. Ignoring someone who drops their groceries in the parking lot. You know, those unkind actions we think no one sees.

Oppressors and bullies are all around us. There may even be folks that are oppressing us — or worse, someone we love, like our children. Our inclination may be to “drive over” to their house and take care of business, but is that what the LORD would have us do? Asking Him is where we begin.

And, remember, our Father does long for the salvation of all, even the oppressors and bullies. What if He had given up on Paul? Like my mom when she called the young man’s mother to report his behavior, her hope was that the boy would have a change of heart.

May the oppressed and oppressor know their Redeemer, my friends.

Proverbs Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs