Together in Christ: 'Where Will You Find Help?' — Isaiah 10:1-3

Jesus said it this way:

"Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

"Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!" ^[1]

Isaiah showed how deep the darkness was in his day for those whose eye was unhealthy. They wanted their rewards while they lived. They abused the vulnerable, preyed on the weak, and denied the rights of the powerless. However, God promised to act and bring Israel's corrupt officials to justice. God did what He promised. His anger broke out against them, using foreign nations against them. They were killed, imprisoned, and enslaved. They lost their homes, children, freedom, power, and influence. They lost everything they cheated others to get.

Neglecting, abusing, and denying rights to widows, fatherless, poor, and foreigners living among us is common today. People in these groups are often swept aside, kept out of sight, or moved away from the busy places of life. Abusers assume the attitude somewhat represented by these words:

• Why be bothered by their presence and their messes?
• Who is going to care if I do nothing?
• Who is going to notice whether I help or not?

The answer? GOD! God cares and notices. God sees and brings justice. And, when people live for the now, the moment, the goods, and the riches, especially when they do it at the expense of others, God's judgment is harsh but appropriate.

Verses throughout the Bible speak about God's heart for those on the margins of society. ^[2] Our Father in heaven wants our hearts tuned to His heart. He wants us to defend the fatherless, speak up for widows, welcome foreigners, and encourage and help the poor. ^[3] God wants us to reflect His holy values: His righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful justice. ^[4] Those who choose the way of "having it all" now and stepping on people to get what they want will find themselves without all they accumulated and will face a judge Who will require His justice for each abuse. God is serious about us being His children who are like Him, and He modeled that heart for others by sending Jesus.