{"id":1292,"date":"2010-10-24T01:23:31","date_gmt":"2010-10-24T01:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-justice-for-orphans-and-the-oppressed.html"},"modified":"2010-10-24T01:23:31","modified_gmt":"2010-10-24T01:23:31","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-justice-for-orphans-and-the-oppressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/10\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-justice-for-orphans-and-the-oppressed.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Justice for Orphans and the Oppressed"},"content":{"rendered":"
Psalm 10:1-18<\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nYou will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
\n     so mere people can no longer terrify them.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

Psalm 10:18<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\nPsalm 10 begins by wondering why the Lord lets the wicked do their evil
\ndeeds and even prosper because of them. The wicked even think God is
\nabsent or, at any rate, not paying attention to what they’re doing. But
\nthe psalm writer knows that God is there and that he is, in fact,
\nwatching. Thus the psalmist cries out for the Lord to punish the wicked,
\nto give them the justice they deserve.<\/p>\n

\nThe psalm ends on a different, tender note. The Lord pays attention,
\nnot only to the wicked, but also to their victims. He knows “the hopes
\nof the helpless” and hears “their cries” so as to “comfort them”
\n(10:17). The final verse of Psalm 10 affirms God’s special care for
\nvictims of evil: “You will bring justice to the orphans and the
\noppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them” (10:18). Orphans,
\nin the ancient world, were often completely helpless and homeless. They
\nwere easily abused, enslaved, or simply left to die without anyone to
\ncare for them. The oppressed were those who were trampled by tyrants and
\nothers who abused their power. The Hebrew word translated as
\n“oppressed” literally means “crushed.”<\/p>\n

\nThe fact that God seeks justice for the powerless victims in society
\noffers a word of hope to them. It also reminds those of us who have
\npower to use our power for God’s purposes. We must be people who seek
\njustice for orphans, the oppressed, and others who cannot secure justice
\nfor themselves. If we have authority, such as in the workplace or the
\nfamily, we must seek to treat those in our care fairly. Where we have
\nthe opportunity to do so, we must work for justice in systems and
\ninstitutions, even as we lift our voices to defend the rights of the
\ndefenseless. Justice for those who lack it is not a partisan political
\nconcern, but rather a central passion of the Lord and all who seek to
\nfollow him.<\/p>\n

\nQUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION<\/strong>: In what facets of
\nlife do you have the opportunity to seek justice for others? How would a
\ncommitment to justice make a difference in your daily life?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\nPRAYER: <\/strong> Gracious God, how wonderful it is to know
\nthat you care for the weak and powerless. And not just wonderful, but
\nalso instructive. Your priorities teach us to seek justice for orphans,
\nthe oppressed, and others who are powerless.<\/p>\n

\nGive me eyes to see those who need justice. Give me wisdom to know when
\nI should act and how. Give me compassion for the weak and helpless. May
\nmy heart be shaped by your own heart, dear Lord, my actions by your
\nactions.<\/p>\n

\nAll praise be to you, God of justice and mercy. Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/i> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Psalm 10:1-18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,      so mere people can no longer terrify them. Psalm 10:18 Psalm 10 begins by wondering why the Lord lets the wicked do their evil deeds and even prosper because of them. The wicked even think God is absent or, at any rate,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-inspiration"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Justice for Orphans and the Oppressed - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}