Rescue the Weak and Needy

"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. - Psalm 82:3-5 (ESV)

 It has been a week since I walked into a local middle school, and only the 3rd time I have been there. And yet, as I entered the halls I was walking and hear a cry of "Matthew!" I turn and find a 6th grade boy running towards me. I smile inside, that I was recognized and remembered from being spotted from a distance. This student walks along with me into the meeting area, and I find myself greeted by a few other students I had met, some only once others both days I was involved. I realize a sacrifice (but not really) of one extra hour on one extra day is worth it. To see students smile as I walk through, even though some are probably catching on that I am not the best tutor (what can I say, majoring in youth ministry means you tend to forget a lot of the "schooly" stuff) but its the conversations, the relationships which matter.

I had started a conversation with two guys last week about how they really don't need to greet each other by cussing each other out and talking about girls inappropriately. Now, this is a talk which is probably going to go towards, hey don't do that. I said, "Dudes, why do you have to do that?" last week. And yet, they asked when we would finish it? 5th graders, wanting to continue a conversation about why what they were doing wasn't cool or a good thing to do. And it breaks my heart, wondering how many times they just hear stop doing that and shut up, rather than talking through it. Someone who is willing to give them some attention, to help them be better in what they do. I understand teachers can only do so much, but I wonder what home life is like with mom and dad (or if mom or dad is even present.)

And I was reading the Psalms and was struck by Psalm 82, realizing that is my call to God this year. As I continue to build relationships, I see these kids just want to be loved, to know that someone is there for them. To rescue them, to be there to help in time of need, to deliver them. Because for many, they have no knowledge of a God who loves them, they don't understand why someone who isn't a teacher, isn't a parent would come and be there with them. But see, that is what shakes the earth. The earth was shaken by sin but sin was shaken by Christ, by the ultimate display of love he gave to a world unworthy of it. But because we are unworthy, it makes that love so much more beautiful, so much more pure.

I see these students, and my prayer is that they would not walk in darkness. And while my words may be limited, my actions are not. I am there to listen. They are already telling me secrets (that they have a girlfriend now) and it makes me smile. If it takes words for someone to see what I am about, then I'm not about it. A football player can't speak their skill, they embody it, it is seen through their actions. In the same way, I'm not a follower of Christ, I'm not in love with Him if only my lips speak it. My actions should make people say, hey, there's something different here.

This is my challenge: where are you at in life where you should be living daily as a light for Christ. If we aren't among the "darkness" how will it be made light? Don't just shine in the church. Don't separate loving God at church from the rest of your life. It shouldn't matter if you don't know what to say. Listen. Be there. Show it through your actions. Remember the one who died for you, who took nails in his hands, whose back was torn, flesh ripped out of, for you. That is sacrifice. And that is action speaking love. Surrender your pride, surrender your lust, surrender your time. We fill our lives with so much crap. And somehow we make a disconnect of God time and our time. We must stop that. Christ gave everything, all of Himself for us. Will we do the same? Let us stop making excuses. Let us stop just speaking it, let us do it. Every day. It's not easy, it never will be. But we must. There are those who don't understand, and unless we shine, unless we love them, how will they ever? So will I sacrifice my time for them? I will. Will you sacrifice your time for those who need it? For Christ? Only you can answer. But let us stop making excuses. We are to be the hands and feet of Christ, to be a presence, to love, to rescue the weak and the needy.

Lessons from David and Jonathon

The world around us has distorted the ideal male friendship, created it to be something which is "socially acceptable" but in all honesty, does nothing but tear down and create despair. We are told we must have this "macho" stereotype, and it is enforced through parents, teachers, leaders, etc. My son doesn't play sports! My son doesn't hunt! My son doesn't have a girlfriend!

And yet, let me take an example from the scripture to prove that we are missing a key part of the spectrum. Let me tell you, if anyone has seen the movie Troy or Gladiator, what seems more macho then a guy with swords cutting off the heads of the enemy. (Now, apologies to any pacifists, but I doubt that you would doubt Maximus' masculinity in Gladiator when he has continually conquered those of the arena.) Now let us look to the Old Testament, two men who were great warriors: David and Jonathon. David was one warrior. Take this example from 1 Samuel 30 -

And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four-hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. (1 Samuel 30:17-19)

 Now, this is a man. A man who would avenge for his family, fighting from twilight till evening the next day. Thats a man. And yet, this same man, a man who is passionate for his family, a man who was just (read on in 1 Samuel 30 and see how he evenly divides and distributes what was regained both with those who fought and those who hadn't fought because they were too exhausted. Reminds me of a certain parable in Matthew 20 of the vineyard workers.)

And this man, David, had a companion closer than a brother and closer than a wife. (Now, let me stop and say check your mind. The world we live in assumes men in a close relationship must be sexual. I do not want this to be a debate about homosexual relationships, nor a debate as to whether David and Jonathon were in one. If you are that upset and must argue, let me take you out to coffee and we will talk. Just please don't argue on here.)

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathon was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathon loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1)

 This verse hits me, and I believe it speaks to two things: Men need to have deep relationships with other men, where they can confide with what is going on. Not just a "lets go shoot things together" or "lets pump iron together." But a relationship where you can say "I love you." And not be ashamed to say it. This verse reminds me of another, the whole "Love your neighbor as yourself." David and Jonathon paint a picture of this, of a love which is different than the love of a man and a woman (which is often sexual, and yes is beautiful.) But this love, of two friends who have each others back, who can share what is going on, can support one another, this love is a beautiful love. That Jonathon loved David enough to be willing to give up his spot for the throne of Israel, because he cared for David and for God's will. That is love. That is beautiful. That Jonathon loved David as his own soul, that is beautiful. I look and see a desire for young men to have this sort of companionship. And yet, they are told its more important to have a girlfriend, to do manly things. Not to love another as you love yourself, unless she's a smokin' hot babe. There is something wrong with this.

"How the mighty have fallen in the midst of battle! Jonathon lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathon; very pleasant have you been to me; your love was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women." (2 Samuel 1:25-26)

Jonathon was willing to set aside his seat on the throne, to risk his life to warn David. His soul was knit to David's, because he saw a friendship there closer than a brother, closer than a woman. The relationship wasn't based on one taking advantage of the other, but it was a true relationship of men, who loved and feared God, and thus cared for each other. I fear my words haven't done a well enough job to express this, but this picture it paints is beautiful. I pray that young men would not be afraid to have this deep relationship, to see the beauty in a friendship which is not shallow, which is not more concerned for self-gain or appearance, but realizing what depth is achieved through a relationship where you can be open, a relationship where when that friend dies, your soul is torn. Not because they can't update your facebook, but because you look and see, they were willing to sacrifice for you, that you know without a doubt, he loved me as much as he loved himself, and that is beautiful. He loved me with the love of Christ, and that is beautiful.

- Brummy

A Psalm to God

O Lord, How Great is Your Name,
You are worthy to be praised,
Your name is higher than all these things,
You are greater than these videos and games I put before you,

Music in my ears has become an idol,
Take from me these hands which have become unclean,
How stupid we have been to forget the wonder of your name,
You put others to shame, no athlete, artist, actor, actress, king, president, or any other compare with You

In the end all will see your name lifted high,
Our billboards will crumble,
Our homes will lie in ruin,
Faded and destroyed will be our mansions,
Black and dim will be our entertainment centers,
Our phones will sit unused, billions of text sent wasted for eternity
All will be drawn to You and your name

Why do they not see? Why do they not hear?
They have been blinded and confused
They have lost all wonder for your name

The mountains we thought we conquered, you built,
Your power is still evident in the great hurricanes which wipe away our filth,
That it did not take loss of lives to realize how blind we have been,
O God, let us surrender before you that you may spare those times,
But let your wonder be known, for You are God alone

These trophies we collect sit in dust,
Can we still run as swift? Can we still swim as fast?
What about this mountain? What about the sea?
They speak the might of God, our trophies are worthless before Him

They speak of the money they have, the things they buy
God clothes those in need, causes the food to grow,
provides for those in need
Your father buys you things,
Our Father has everything we need, And He is all we need

O Lord, How majestic is your name
Draw us back to you
Let our hearts not wander
Let your name be known throughout the earth