Psalms 82 - Think About It!

February 20, 2017 Monday Message:

As you read through the Psalms, from time to time you’ll encounter the word, “Selah.” Some people think it means to pause, to think about what you’ve just read, to meditate upon the previous passage, or it sometimes signals a change in direction in the text. The truth is that we’ve lost the true ancient meaning of Selah. No one knows for sure. I might go with, “All of the above!”

In Psalm 82:2, the psalmist asks God a question: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?” And then the word, “Selah.” Think about the ridiculousness of what we just read. Does God REALLY favor the wicked? No, but sometimes it can seem that way to us. We need to pause and think about what’s actually transpiring.

Then, in verses 3-4, after the “Selah,” this psalm turns into a prayer: “Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Now THAT all makes more sense – that’s the same stuff Jesus told us to do! It was a good prayer 3,000 years ago, it was good when Jesus taught it 2,000 years ago, and it’s still true today.

I have never seen so many marches, so many protests as our country has experienced recently. But much of it still boils down to protecting the oppressed from the wicked. In some ways, things haven’t changed much in 3,000 years.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla continues our study in 1 Corinthians as we welcome our New Hope guests.

The LORD Upholds the Oppressed

November 29, 2010 Monday Message:

“The LORD upholds the cause of the oppressed.” Psalm 146:7a If it’s important to God, it should be important to us, so let’s look at “The Oppressed,” their situation, what God is doing for them, and what we should do for them.

Stronger people feel like they have it all together. They feel good today, and they’re that way most of the time.

Oppressed people feel all beat up, all the time. They may have failing relationships, financial challenges and spiritual questions with no answers. They may be fighting an illness, fighting an addiction or fighting for our country. Unfortunately, life is a battlefield, and the oppressed are oftentimes fighting the stronger people.

Stronger people force the weaker people to work for them. They don’t pay them enough for the work. The oppressed are often hungry. Sometimes they’re in a prison, and sometimes they just feel as if life is a prison. Oppressed people are people to whom stronger people are not kind. Orphans and widows, foreigners, the blind, people not like us—there are many who fall into the “oppressed” category.

But don’t write them off yet—these are GOD’s Oppressed People! “Blessed are those who trust in the LORD!” Jeremiah 17:7a Remember that God is the Creator, so he knows what everyone needs, and he remains faithful forever. “The LORD gives food to the hungry, sight to the blind, lifts up those who are bowed down, watches over the foreigner, sustains the fatherless and the widow, and loves those who love him. God loves the righteous, but subverts the plans of the wicked.” Psalm 146:7-9

So if God is an advocate for the oppressed, we should make sure we’re on His side, which, by the way, is the winning side! If you stick close to God, you can step past the problem and become part of the solution.

Norton Lawellin