Psalm 72:13
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.

Nehemiah 6:9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

In August 2012, I visited both the Baltimore National Aquarium and the Washington DC National Zoo with family.  Reflecting on both visits, it struck me how much work was done to protect and promote the weak, vulnerable and almost extinct animals. In my mind’s eye again, I can see the majesty of the  Lion, king of the Jungle on the top of the hill roaring for all to hear in contrast to the seahorse & tree frogs protected by a special case.  And yet all were important and cherished by those responsible.

As I played and replayed and pondered these things in my heart, I heard God’s message.  As His people, we need to reach up to God so that he can strengthen us in order that we can cherish the weak, needy and vulnerable.   When we cherish the weak we are working on God’s behalf and will bring great joy and satisfaction to those who are crushed in spirit.

Oftentimes the vulnerable person’s route is blocked off and he/she is unable to adjust, and unless helped will give up and die right there.  Don’t let that happen.  Your path was blocked once and somehow God made a way out of no way so that you could escape.  You were weak once and now you walk strengthened.   God has strengthened us not for ourselves but for us to reach out and help the marginalised to readjust into new situations the new normal: to speak life and strength into their situations.

Reach out today and help to strengthen the hands of those who are weak. You never know when God will send someone to cherish you when and where you are weak.

Prayer

Father help us to reach beyond ourselves to those who need you and cherish them and bring them into a right relationship with you.  In Jesus name Amen.