Sunday, May 06, 2007

The poorest of the poor

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 2 Kings 24, 25; Psalm 76

2 Kings 25:11-12 (NIV)
11 Nebuzaradan, the commander of the guard, carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon. 12 But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.

Proverbs 13:23 (NIV)
23 A poor man’s field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.

Matthew 5:3 (NIV)
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


Good morning!

My mother used to say that her family was the poorest of the poor; yet, they never realized it. In rural Brookhaven, Mississippi, where she grew up, her parents picked cotton for a living. They spent their days sowing and reaping in the fields. My mother was the oldest daughter of seven children. She spent her days helping Grandmother prepare the family meals while watching over her younger siblings as her parents harvested cotton. The evening meal was a treasured part of each day, where conversation was welcomed and plentiful. Their family never complained while eating red beans and rice, sweet potato pie, and thick slices of corn bread every night. If you cooked the same meal everyday for your family, would they be very happy with you? Every Christmas, my mother would hang her siblings tattered stockings by the wood-burning fireplace, hoping to receive a special gift from a mysterious visitor in the middle of the night. The children were delighted to find a large orange in the bottom of their stockings on Christmas morning. That piece of fruit was a rare treat, indeed.

The Great Depression left many families struggling, and my mother’s family was no exception. Some of her happiest memories were spent growing up on the farm in a time when they barely had enough to survive. The children didn’t have toys to play with, so they played with each other instead. Now, that’s a novel idea! Her brothers loved to catch lizards and hang them from their ears, like long, dangly earrings. The girls would scream and run when their mischievous brothers chased them about the yard, threatening to drop a lizard down their backs. Mom did not mind playing hard, breaking a sweat, and getting dirty. It gave her the excuse she needed to go take a dip in the creek bed near their home. The children hung an old tire swing from the outstretched branches of a large pine tree, hovering over the clear, babbling brook. Mom loved to swing across the creek bed, jumping midstream into the deepest part of the water. It is amazing none of them ever drowned, especially when there was no life guard on duty or anyone trained to teach these babies how to swim.

The Israelites found themselves, once again, in utter captivity. Their sinful choices opened the door for evil to penetrate their city. Many were taken into exile. Families were tortured and murdered, while others were made to watch. They were rendered powerless to save their community. What was once a safe haven, sheltered under the umbrella of God’s love, had become a heap of rubble. How quickly things can change. Only a remnant – the poorest people of the land, were left behind to make their way through the desolation.

Mom has said, time and again, that their faith in Jesus Christ, made living worthwhile. He walked with them through every difficult circumstance. Praying for strength and favor was a daily part of their lives. The Lord blessed their home with love. There was always plenty to eat. Grandmother knew how to make a feast from a bare pantry. The children never had anything new to wear – all of their clothing was handed down from second cousins and older siblings. Happiness was not based on their personal possessions. True happiness was a gift of faith, received from the one who understood poverty at its worst. He is the answer. He provides the riches of salvation and abundant living not only in this world, but the next.

The poorest of the poor knew how to look up. Crying out to the Lord for help, He heard their heartfelt prayers, and answered them. Do you know what it means to be poor? Have you ever turned your face from the Lord, only to find yourself in captivity to the things that you thought might bring you happiness? When you have nothing left to hold on to, reach out to Jesus. He can take the worst situations of your life and walk you through them. If you find yourself struggling to survive today, stop and look up! Jesus Christ is waiting to help you. He loves you. He knows where you’ve been, and He holds the key to your future. The things we value in this world cannot even begin to compare with the riches Jesus Christ has offered to all of us.

Are you the poorest of the poor? Cry out to Jesus today, and live!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: the rich blessing of placing total faith in Jesus Christ. You may not have a dime in your pocket, but with Jesus in your heart, you are the wealthiest person alive. Let go of the sin that keeps you separated from your Heavenly Father. Christ redeems the poorest of the poor and makes real life worth living.
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