Encouragement: The Finale!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, please the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17
The Finale! This will be the last gospel-sanity devo on the theme of “encouragement,” though I pray the encouragement will continue, no matter what topic we are considering through the lens of the gospel. But what an appropriate focus with which to conclude this series of devos-encouragement for the oppressed.
The gospel of God’s grace is no mere story of how self-loathing dweebs can overcome low self esteem and finally like themselves. The gospel is God’s grace-full meta-narrative, or big story of pan-national redemption and cosmic restoration! Jesus has come to show the wonders of his love “far as the curse is found.” This means that everywhere sin and death have permeated and poisoned creation, community and culture, Jesus has signed on to bring new creation life-in part, in this day, in fullness, on the DAY-the appointed day Jesus will return to finishing making all things new.
This is underscored by the words Jesus spoke when he began his public ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
So how do we encourage the oppressed? By validating their tears and entering their struggle. “By loving mercy, doing justice and walking humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). Where might you bring the encouragement of the gospel of the kingdom to bear? Just to mention a few: In the world of orphans, single parenting, hunger, human trafficking, low income housing, medical care for the non-insured and under-insured, systemic racism, clean running water, AIDS relief, education reform, on and on and on, far as the curse is found.
And to think, as we “encourage” the least and the lost, the marginalized and the paralyzed, the hopeless and the hapless, we actually encourage Jesus. As unto the least of these…so as unto Jesus. Let’s not dumb-down encouragement by simply being “nice” people. Let’s show real gospel-driven encouragement until the finale of all finales-the Day of ultimate encouragement-the Day of perfect justice and eternal righteousness!
