Smooth as Honey
Posted in Daily Focus on Saturday, March 1, 2014
"Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4).
I heard voices quietly talking in my daughters' bedroom as I put the laundry away in the hall closet. My oldest daughter was coercing her younger sister into trading something with her. Because I couldn't see what was going on, I assumed they were trading old stuffed animals or some other inexpensive toy. As I walked past the door to their room, however, I saw my younger daughter replacing her piggy bank on the shelf. Questioning the transaction, I went on with my work and waited until my older daughter left the room. When my younger daughter was alone, I quietly asked, "What did you just trade with your sister?"
"Oh, she just traded a whole dollar for my new doll!" she replied excitedly in her little girl voice.
"What?" I cried. "Your new doll was worth more than a dollar, and your sister knows that!" Disgusted, I called my older daughter back into the bedroom. Our homeschooling was going to have to wait. Apparently, a discussion on deceitfulness was of first importance today.
Taking advantage of the young, old, innocent, or the less fortunate is detestable in God's sight. Joseph's brothers discovered that fact after their aged father suffered emotionally from their lie. For years, they had let Jacob believe Joseph had been eaten by a wild animal (Genesis 37:33). God eventually exposed their sin and deception in selling Joseph into slavery and brought a similar mental anguish into their lives as they stood before an angry official in Egypt. Not knowing the official was their brother, they feared for their lives as Joseph dealt severely with them after they had come to Egypt to buy grain.
What about you? Do you look for ways to protect the needy from being taken advantage of by others? Have you taught your children to do the same? Greed, jealousy, and lust are powerful forces that cause others to use people for their own gain. God needs you to stand in the gap when you see little ones or the elderly being mistreated. Will you be their advocate today? "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Lord, thank You for the loving protection You provide our family each day. Use us to shield and shelter those who are unable to defend themselves from being mistreated by others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(6 comments)
JENNIFER C 03/01/2010 06:55:23
This story is so real to me. Thank you for al your devotionals that you have been posting. They are very helpful.
ELIZABETH J 03/01/2010 09:16:49
I'm with Jen this is very real to me! I am actually getting my children prepared for what might be an extended visit from a wonderful lady in a terrible situaton. thnx
CANDIS C 03/01/2011 07:57:35
Your devotional is always so relevant, and it always speaks to my heart. Thank you!
S T 03/01/2012 05:39:08
Thank you for seeing our need today! We are going for custody of our nephew who has Hunningtons Correa and it has been very hard know what is the right thing - your devotional today was just in time for todays meeting! Thank you and many Blessings - I read these everyday.
TIA G 03/02/2012 12:00:28
This devotional was truly God\'s timing! I found out yesterday that someone I have known a long time was just arrested for child pornography. In the same day I found a relative had abused another relative and was going to court. I struggled with whether to talk with my 12 yr old son about it. I have many times heard God call me to stand in the gap for children as an advocate for them. I am currently in a situation praying about being an advocate in our body of believers and this devotional was the confirmation I needed. My son and I just had a very deep discussion and prayed about how he can remain pure in this world telling him deceit and lust are okay. They are powerful evil spirits, but we as Christians are more powerful and victorious in Christ! Thank you God for your protection over our children!
KATHY SPIELER 03/01/2013 13:39:18
There are always people, that take advantage of the elderly, children, and handicap people. It makes me ill. My Mother has been cheated soooo mnay times, and I am usually the one to go to bat for her. My poor child has been through more than most have in a life time with his handicap, both when he was in Public and Private school. I defended, protested and finally my only way to protect him was to homeschool him. In his infinate Wisdom he said to me "Mom, maybe Jesus allowed all those bad things had to happen so I could be homeschooled."
Yes my sweeet angel, maybe he did. God alwyas knows what is ahead of us, and as horrible as things may seem, sometimes they are allowed for the greater good. I only wish I had started homeschooling sooner.