JULY 14, 2016

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

PSALM 13-16

David affirms the hope of the poor...

5But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,

for God is present in the company of the righteous.

6You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,

but the Lord is their refuge.

ACTS 18

Paul hears from God...

9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

JOURNAL 

The refuge of the poor is the "Lord". How true this is because it is the only refuge possible. To the poor and oppressed, they really don't have another option. When everything is stripped of a man, he must face either complete loneliness or refuge in God. This was the path of Job and it also was the path of David. It fills his psalms but it also is affirmed that David's strength in God was strongest at moments when he had nothing. 

This is the logic behind Jesus' sermon on the mount...

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

21Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

22Blessed are you when people hate you,

when they exclude you and insult you

and reject your name as evil,

because of the Son of Man.

 ~ LUKE 6:20-22