Justice

As I prepared to return to Kenya this year, my attention was frequently drawn to Ezekiel 36 in the NLT, especially verses 12-15.  They state, "I will cause my people to walk on you once again, and you will be their territory.  You will never again rob them of their children.  This is what the Sovereign Lord says:  'The other nations taunt you, saying Israel is a land that devours its own people and robs them of their children!  But you will never again devour your people or rob them of their children, says the Sovereign Lord.  I will not let you hear those other nations insult you, and you will no longer be mocked by them.  You will not be a land that causes its nation to fall, says the Sovereign Lord.'"  That, therefore, became my prayer for this land where God has sent me, as well as for all nations.

The battle to rescue the oppressed from dire circumstances has proven to me to be one that attracts a backlash of assaults from the enemy.  Through the years of doing this type of work, I have witnessed various battles ensue as children and adults alike are about to experience an increased level of freedom and blessing in their lives.

I knew certain small girls in one country, who when help was on the way to rescue them from an extremely abusive home, experienced a blatantly higher degree of abuse just before their rescue.  Both of them receiving beatings from their mother to the point of drawing blood.  By the grace and power of God they are both in a safe, loving home now.

Last year I witnessed increased oppression in a specific group of street boys as God started to show up in the midst of them in powerful ways.  To the point that several small ones were molested and two even killed, and within a short period of time.  Many, though, have made it into the safe harbor of a children's home, some into a boarding school.  God is a mighty warrior and loving Father.

As of late, as I've made effort to continue on in the rescue of such children, I've experienced the wrath of a man heavily involved in witchcraft, alcohol and extortion, as he stole money from us and tried to get more.  As we refused, he then proceeded to send people after us to try to keep us quiet about his activities.  But the Lord showed up in truly amazing ways, completely delivered us and even promoted us.  God is so great!  In the past, the man involved in witchcraft would use it against the kids in the children's home.  He even bribed someone who was a friend and volunteer in the ministry.  Who now has a feeding program for street children too.  God can even use a witch doctor to feed them. 

I don't understand why children are thrown to the streets.  As one street boys has stated, "my parents have left me in the care of drug peddlers and thieves."  I don't understand throwing out such precious lives, or caring more about a bottle of alcohol or a boyfriend/girlfriend more than your own children.  But God has something to say about oppression in Psalm 12:5.  He says "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor.  Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do."

The Lord will execute justice for the oppressed, it's a promise.  It will happen now or later, but it will happen.  Ps. 12:7-8 states, "Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land."

I pray that you and I will be counted amongst those who enter into God's plans to deliver the oppressed and seek justice on their behalf, as best we can, in the strength God gives us.  And even when the backlash of the enemy seems to be too much.  Because God is ready and able to deliver us as well from such attacks, He even fights the battle for us.  As Mother Teresa said, "Give the world the best you can, it might not be enough, but give it anyway."  It's more blessed to give than to receive.