Listen

God, give your judgments to the king. Give your righteousness to the king’s son. Let him judge your people with righteousness and your poor ones with justice. Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors! Let the king live as long as the sun, as long as the moon, generation to generation. Let him fall like rain upon fresh-cut grass, like showers that water the earth.

Psalm 72:1-6

Think

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 37.9 million people are currently living in poverty in the United States. That is 11.6 percent of the population. Amid so much wealth and comfort, this data is convicting and regretful.

The Psalmist’s ancient prayer is fitting for us today: “Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors!”

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice. The scriptures are relevant today. In the psalm, justice and peace are coupled. Without justice, there will be no peace for all.

Be bold and act for the poor, the needy, the orphans, the widows, and the immigrants.

Elket Rodriguez

Pray

Heavenly Lord, open my eyes to see the injustice around me and embolden me to advocate for the needy and the poor.

Grant me a hunger and thirst for justice.

Guide me to act according to your righteousness.

Amen.

Go

Only in God do I find rest; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

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