He. . .is me

For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.     Psalm 72:12-14

Sounds like God, right?  He delivers the needy when they call upon him,and redeems their lives from violence and oppression. Their very existence (blood) is precious in his sight. 

But David is talking in the psalm about the king ( no capital K). And, who is the king? David was. So, in essence, he is talking about himself, or how he wants to be with God’s help as the Almighty King of  kings.  It is David who needs to be compassionate and help the needy and the oppressed because God had placed him on the earth to reign. He was given the power by God.

Guess what, so have I and so have you. As Christians, we are now given the power through the Holy Spirit to spread the kingdom. Jesus told the people if they clothe the naked, feed the hungry and tend to the poor, they have also done the same to Him.   That has not changed.

Yes, we all lead busy lives, but if we seek God out and ask Him to show us how we can spread His kingdom and help the less fortunate and helpless, He will not only show us how, but help us find the time. 

The holiday season is upon us.  Food banks need food for the winter. Shelters will be serving Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. The nursing homes are full of lonely people who could use a little joy.  Angel trees are displayed in stores and restaurants and Policeman Santa’s helpers organizations have toy drives. Military families need support.

What if each of us tithed a tenth of what we were going to spend this holiday season on the poor, the imprisoned, the needy?  What if we volunteered just one or two hours a week to serve food in a soup kitchen, wrap presents, sort clothes or visited the shut ins, hospital wards, delivered meals on wheels to the elderly? What if it turned into a family project?  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful lesson for the kids, or the grandkids?

Just something to think about, and pray over. This just may be the best holiday season you ever had. The King is calling.