Psalm 82:3-4 NLT – “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. [4] Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

Some Bible verses need a commentary to help understand them. Verses like the ones above don’t. We can read them and understand what we need to do.

These verses tell us to look after vulnerable people. People who are struggling to look after themselves. People who are oppressed by others. People who are poor and helpless.

I believe caring for vulnerable people is very close to God’s heart. Time and time again in the Bible He encourages us to look after the weak, the widow, the orphan, the oppressed.

As I type I am challenged afresh by these verses. What have I done? What am I doing? What can I do next? These thoughts are words rolling around in my spirit.

Can I sponsor another child? Can I volunteer at a shelter? Can I do some training that well help me be more effective in helping? Do I know someone who needs help?

How about you?

Prayer

Lord God, I want to make a real and lasting difference in this world. I want to help the poor and helpless, I want to help the widow and the orphan, I want to help the oppressed. Please show me what I can do to help. Show me what You want me to do. I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” ‭John‬ ‭14:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don’t let our hearts be troubled implies that at times they will be. The remedy to this is trusting in God. God is all powerful. He knows the beginning from the end. He promises to care for us, protect us and provide for us. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Christ who is our strength. So we don’t have to be troubled!

Prayer

Thank You God that you are with me. You provide help, strength, protection and all I need in this life. Help me to trust You and not be troubled in my heart. Amen.

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We may make our plans by what we think we want to do, but it is the Lord who directs our steps. With this in mind, we don’t need to understand everything in complete detail along the way.

One of the great truths of the Bible is that God holds us in the palm of His hands. When we walk with Him, His guidance, protection and help are all par for the course. It is part of being His child.

So we don’t need to worry about the future. What we will do, what we will eat, where will we go, these are all in God’s hands. We just need to focus on His Kingdom and be obedient each and every day. God will take care of the rest.

Prayer

Dear God, I thank You that You hold me in the palm of Your hand. Help me to put my complete trust in You and seek Your Kingdom each day. Help me to understand that daily guidance, protection and supply are mine, because I am Your child. Amen.

Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT – Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. [4] Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

These verses talk about the importance of loyalty and kindness. We are told to keep them close and to never let them leave us – tie it around our neck and have it deep in our hearts. This would mean loyalty and kindness would be always with us and a big part of who we are. God tells us that we will have favour with Himself, other people and we will have a good reputation if we do.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to be a loyal and kind person in all I do. I pray I can be loyal to You and Your Kingdom, loyal and kind to my family, at church, with my friends and to my employer. I pray I will be known as a loyal and kind person. Amen.