"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." -- Proverbs 31:8-9

If you ever get to a point where you feel useless, powerless, or worthless, think again.  There are many in this world who need you and your voice.  Even the young must realize that there are people (some not yet born) who will be looking to them to show them the way.   Focus on the path God has set before you, and find your power in obedience and faithfulness, and you will grow strong.  Use that strength to help the weak-- not to overpower them.

Readings:  Zechariah 14:1-21; Revelation 20:1-15; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 31:8-9

"Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more." -- Proverbs 31:6-7

A lesson taught to King Lemuel of Massa by his mother, this proverb speaks to the importance of sobriety for the leader.   I imagine her saying, "Son, I know all the other boys are chasing girls and getting drunk, but you're a young king in the making.  You're above all that.  You will find pleasure in ways that they won't-- you'll have pleasures you won't need to escape.  Let them escape, because they'll have no pleasure."

How can we design and live our lives in such a way that we wouldn't want to escape either?

Readings:  Zechariah 12:1-13:9; Revelation 19:1-21; Psalm 147:1-20; Proverbs 31:1-7

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the Lord, who remains faithful forever." -- Psalm 146:5-6

Many people think that the phrase "the Lord helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible-- it's not.  In fact, throughout Scripture we see the opposite-- the people of God time and time again turning to God for their well being.  They understood fortune to be a result of righteousness and God's reward for it.  So in one sense, that makes the oft-misappropriated quote apt.  To them, "helping yourself" was found in following God's law.  If you did that, then life would be okay.  Funny how that still applies... maybe not in the direct way it was once thought, and certainly not in the sense that bad things don't happen to good people, but still in a way that if you seek God first, a good life can be lived.

Readings:    Zechariah 10:1-11:17; Revelation 18:1-24; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 30:33

"The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down." -- Psalm 145:13b-14

You are a created being-- a child of God.  And like a child, you will stumble and you will fall.  You will grow and think yourself wise and will try going it alone.  Later, you will see your folly and wonder how God put up with you all those years.  You belong to him.  God can put up with a lot more than you can imagine.  While you may come and go out of your relationship, God is steadfast.  He will not leave you. 

Readings:  Zechariah 9:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 30:32

“O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” -- Psalm 144:3-4

In the giving and receiving of gifts on this Christmas Day, let’s remember that despite the stuff that’s passed back and forth, it’s the people around us who are the true gifts from God.  We are a people passing through time and space with one another.  We are fellow sojourners making our way toward a shared destination.  Along the way, let’s value each other, and thank God for the chance to know one another.  Merry Christmas Everyone!

Readings for Today:  Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'" -- Zechariah 7:8-10

I think Zechariah was on to something here.   Imagine a world in which this was a given-- that people didn't have to be told to administer justice and show mercy and compassion.  While we might not be able to change the population of the whole world overnight, it is possible to change our own behavior and way of thinking.  It starts with us, then we teach it to others.  Too often, we try to teach it to others before really learning it ourselves.

"Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name." -- Psalm 142:7a

Today, consider those things that cause you to feel stuck and imprisoned.  Of those, which are ones you can do nothing about?  These would be systemic in nature-- you can't do much about the fact that you live on earth, that you were born into your family, your race, your nationality.  Your age and permanent disability would be other examples.  And then what would be the things that you do have a choice about-- your job, your relationships, your lifestyle and habits?  Even the things that you feel you have no control over, you do have some power of choice in the way you respond to them.  What's keeping you from living the life you feel God's calling you to live?  If you dig long enough, you'll find the answer is usually "nothing".  God has freed you.  Now free yourself.

Readings for today:  Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 30:21-23