Linton United Methodist Church

Give a Helping Hand

Psalm 68:4-6

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds --

his name is the Lord -- be exultant before him.

Father of orphans and protector of widows

is God in his holy habitation.

God gives the desolate a home to live in;

he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

but the rebellious live in a parched land.

This morning, as I write this, I was brought up short by a statement in my devotional reading. The author said she always rolls down her window and gives something to those whom we all see: the ones standing by the side of the road or on the corner with a sign asking for help. It may say "Will work for food," or "Lost my job and home," or "Living in our car." We've all seen them, but how many of us can say we always help them?

It's easy to be cynical about those we see who are less well off than we are. It's easy for us to think that they could make it if they just tried. And unfortunately, there are those who spend more time and energy "working the system" than trying to help themselves.

But anyone who regularly deals with people in need will tell you that those folks are outnumbered by people who cannot make ends meet despite their best efforts: people like the family where Mom stays home with small kids while Dad tries to support the family working full time at a job that doesn't pay enough to bring them up even to the Federal poverty level, or people like the widow with health problems who is trying to stay in the home she shared so many years with her husband.

If we see the need on a regular basis, or even if we really pay attention to those around us, we run the risk of "compassion fatigue," seeing so much pain that it leaves one numb. We wonder how the problems that seem so overwhelming for our neighbors and our community can ever be solved. Most of the time we take a brief time out, a deep breath, and we're ready to continue to help.

We need the reminder of these verses from Psalm 68 that we are not alone. These verses recall the continuing affirmation of the Bible that God is especially concerned with the plight of those on whom society has turned their back. In biblical times, if you were a widow, especially a childless widow, or an orphan you had no place in the community. The psalm reminds us that those who had no place in the community had a place in God's care.

We also need the reminder that God expects not to be alone in helping those who need help. Even before Jesus talked about helping "the least of these," God had reminded the people of faith that they, too, had the responsibility for caring for the widow, the orphan and the stranger. God expects us to do our part.

How have you helped someone in need recently? Most churches are very careful about just handing money to those who come asking for help, but most churches also have programs in place to help those who are truly in need of help. Have you supported your church's efforts to help others? Have you volunteered time for Habitat for Humanity or a food pantry? Have you reached out to help a neighbor make it through a tough time? God is Father for the fatherless and protector of those who have no protection, but God expects his children to help each other.