The Next Moses

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Today's Passage> Psalm 37: 1-22
Memory Verses> Ps. 37: 15-16

The faces of hate and oppression seem to have changed since the days of slavery in the 1800's and Jim Crow laws in the '40's.   But there is still hate and oppression.  Martin Luther King, Jr. lived in a time when men and women of color were no longer shackled with physical chains, but were shackled nevertheless -- to the back of churches, public buildings, and public forms of transportation.  Although African Americans fought proudly in World Wars 1 and 2 to defend the idea of freedom and equality for all, they were not given the benefits of their sacrifice on American soil.  In spite of their plight, people like the man we honor this week had a revelation of who they were created to be and would not cower down before the bullies of hate and oppression.

Dr. King's dream expanded beyond the level of freedom, comfort and equality he envisioned for his children to include every person who could not share the prominent seats in a restaurant or hotel, and who could not drink from the same water fountain as a white person.  He didn't just see his four babies going to the same schools and enjoying the same privileges of education as the white children; he saw the children of ALL Americans despite the color of their skin.  And because of this kingdom- minded vision, God allowed the doors of opportunity to be open for the spirit of Moses to be spread everywhere, and for the then infamous notion of segregation to gradually die out.

Today's passage reminds us that oppression is not a thing of the past, but a spirit that finds its way into the hearts of selfish people in every nation.  But as long as there is a remnant of people who are willing to dream of God's Will coming to pass on this earth, oppression cannot stand.  We are told in Psalm 37 verses 12-16 that evil men plot against the godly and oppress those who have no-one to speak for them.  But God has a plan for them that will cause their very seed to be wiped off the face of the earth, while the oppressed will possess the land.  These promises have no way of coming to pass without the determination of righteous men NOT to accept things as they are.

Fast-forward to present-day life.  The millennium has birthed a new form of hatred and oppression in our society.  Drugs, guns and prostitution are practically free, while a quality education has been rendered virtually impossible through the systematic separation of church and state.  In a public school classroom, a young lady can be given information about birth control, but it is against the law for her to be told that she can maintain her purity through Jesus Christ.  Teenage pregnancy, dropout rates and sexually-transmitted diseases are rampant while the rich keep acquiring more money.  Who will dream again?  Who will be the next Moses?  Who will rise up and refuse to accept the status quo, driven by the desire to see ALL walk in freedom?  God's people must answer the call, and HE will respond with healing and victory.

Prayer: Father, we are not blinded to the cries of oppression ringing out in our cities from those who cannot get out of satan's grasp.  We ask for the courage to dream and be bold in our declaration of Your Will in our land.  We commit our plans to You, and stand on Your Word that You will bring them to pass because they are infused with love and hope.  May we rise up and conquer territory for Your kingdom.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.