Scripture: 33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.' (Acts 7)
Observation: God saw the oppression in Egypt and God sees the oppression in our community and world. God is still in the business of setting people free from oppression. There is a resurrection going on when those who are oppressed find freedom! Verse 34 keeps me coming back for a second look. I believe God says to me - I have seen the oppression and I have come down to set the oppressed free. Now come, Tomara - I am sending you to be my agent to set people free.
We as middle class Americans must begin to understand how our neighbors here and around the world are being oppressed. And we must understand that we as Christ followers must realize God has called us to help set people free!
When a child is abused, she is oppressed. When a child is abandoned, he is oppressed. When a girl has to walk 8 miles a day to fetch water (which means she can't attend school), she is oppressed. When an adult is denied opportunities because of race or color, he is oppressed. When a young girl is captured for sex trafficking, she is oppressed. When a child is forced into child slave labor, he is oppressed. When a child is malnourished or hungry, she is oppressed. People are being oppressed in Louisville and in our world and we cannot pretend that it's not going on. Families who suffer in silence due to differing abilities are oppressed. We cannot say that God is calling someone else!
Application: How do we really help set people free? First, we can give money to awesome organizations like the International Justice mission who fight to free people from slavery and sex trafficking! Second, we can serve as foster parents to children who need a home. Third, we can support (financially or by serving) Ministries like Hospital Loma de Luz who serve some of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere. Fourth, we can serve with non-profits in our community like Volunteers of America or Americana as they work to meet the needs of the oppressed in our community. Helping to free people from oppression requires our time and resources. It requires we be in relationship with someone different from us.
Kneel: God, give us a desire to be your agents in freeing the oppressed. Instill wisdom and courage in our hearts. Help us to open our eyes to see the oppressed and not turn our backs. We need your Spirit to guide us! We need your spirit to help us be Bold!
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