9 Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. 10 Let burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. 11 Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence. 12 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. 13 Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you.

One of the standards of judgment used by God toward the kings of his people, Israel and Judah, was how they treated the poor and unfortunate in the land. This same standard was used by God for his prophets as well. In the New Testament, Jesus describes the final judgment day using a story of those who were willing to see after the needs of the poor, the sick, the hungry and thirsty and those who were in prison. In this story, the explanation is given that when we help others (or don’t help others) we are doing (or not doing) this for the Lord. At first this may seem strange but with a little reflection we can understand it. If someone does something special for a member of my family, I feel they have done it for me. If they do my family harm, I feel harmed as well. As the creator of all mankind God is the father of us all. When we treat others kindly we are treating him kindly and when we mistreat others (or fail to be kind) we are thus doing it to the Lord. This helps us to understand the statement by Jesus when he said that the world would know his disciples because they love each other. Also when James said that “pure religion” is when we take care of the widows and orphans. Paul says that we are to “do good to all men and especially those in the household of faith”.

We must never allow ourselves to become hard hearted toward those around us or to become so cynical that we fail to see their needs. While God is in control and supplies our needs, he often uses his children to help his other children. I must use what God has given me to help others around me. This may be material things or it may be a word of encouragement. It may be simply time spent in visiting20and listening to one who is shut in or lonely.

Dear God, Father of us all, please help me to open my eyes to those around me and to use what you have given me to help others. Make me more aware of the opportunities to be used by you and in your service. Give me a soft, kind and loving heart toward others so that I may show the compassion and mercy you have shown to me. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we become more like him today.