“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge fairly and defend the rights of the poor and needy.” -Proverbs 31:8-9
I asked a missionary in Kenya to help me understand the rights of the poor and needy. “Everyone has the right to hear the gospel” she said. “Jesus paid for that right when He died on the cross. If a government is so corrupt that people are beaten down and not allowed to listen to the gospel, or people are so hungry that they cannot hear the gospel over the growl of their stomach, it is our job as Christians to defend their rights and share with them Christ’s love”.
I had never considered that Jesus paid for the right for His gospel message to be shared. I think we need to step forward in boldness in proclaiming the gospel and “speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”.
I spent a few days on this trip visiting the Kibera Slum, the largest slum in Africa. I met a young man named Moses who formerly lived on the streets but was now living at a youth hostel supported by African Leadership. I asked him about his former life and what difference it made to get off the streets? “If you ask me, I am the happiest person in all of the world.” I could tell by his face that he was telling the truth.
Someone had spoken up for Moses and given him a chance. Before he was living on the streets sniffing glue, but someone decided that they would go and reach out to him. Are we willing to do the same?