The Cry of The Poor

"When the poor cry out, the Lord hears and saves them from distress." - Psalm 34:7

Our definition of poor is limited to those who lack money, but the word poor can be extended to describe anyone who is lacking in anything essential to living a healthy, full life. As I meditated on this psalm, my mind didn't go to the homeless on the street or the starving children in Africa. My mind went to people I have met in my life who are poor in God… people who have taken the wrong path and now their sins have left them broken and alone… people who have been so rude and obnoxious that nobody wants to be their friend… even people who have become so bitter that they don't even want to hear the name of God. And I think that not having had the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus is bad enough, but we make it worse because sometimes we disregard these people. We feel better than them. We think God is on our side and not on theirs… because if we're honest, these type of people come off as obnoxious and we think to ourselves, "God certainly isn't happy with that one!" Yet, they are so poor in spirit and they are so poor in love from us, their sisters and brothers, that when one of them is in pain, God hears their cry. God goes to comfort them. There aren't sides for God, only wrong actions. His compassion and mercy is so great that when the most wretched sinner cries out in pain from their loneliness, God is there even if he or she doesn't feel a thing. Now, wouldn't it be great if we could show that same kind of love, or at least that kind of understanding?

Today's Prayer:
Father in Heaven, You are the Creator of all and so rich in mercy and compassion. I ask that today You give me some of Your richness so that I can see all the poor with the love You see. Let me not see the sinner, but open my eyes to see the brokeness in their lives and then fill me with the love to help them. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.