A migrant from a remote village came to make a living in a city. With his little resources, he made a mobile vehicle, in which he used to take snacks and eatables. One street corner was his location, where he used to sell daily and earn his wages. A local city person saw this business potential, he hired a shop near the street corner and started selling the same snacks. Yet, people used to go to the immigrants, which was cheap and good. Out of envy and anger, he bribed the police, and they hit him for no reason and that poor immigrant disappeared from that street corner. Like this several incidents happen every day, in all cities around the world. The Bible teaches: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalms 83:3,4)
Give Justice: People of God are called to do good in the world, by promoting, advocating, and getting justice to the weak, fatherless, orphans, and widows.
Maintain the rights: God is the giver of all human rights as well as spiritual rights. Enslaving or eliminating others is oppression that God condemns. The young immigrant was deprived of the right to earn his livelihood. Envious people and corrupt authorities made his life miserable.
Rescue: God’s people are called to rescue those who are perishing. (Proverbs 24:11) It need not be for execution or murder or genocide; but against systematic oppression, deprivation, and marginalization.
Deliver: Wicked people will always be there in the world, who wish to enslave, harass, oppress, and exploit those who are weak, vulnerable, and alone. These wicked people know these people have no one to support them or speak on their behalf.
Justice missions: Praise God for the mission agencies who demonstrate solidarity with the oppressed and take up their cause in courts to get justice. However, more lay people and local churches should be involved in bringing righteousness to daily life.
Am I an instrument of righteousness in this world?