CODE X 

I will use my strength to protect the weak and stand against the abuse of power. 

BIBLE READING: Psalm 82:3

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 

DEVOTIONAL: 

When we think about weakness, I wonder what images come to mind? Some skinny looking bloke like Mr. Muscle? Whilst physical weakness is one area there are many more; emotional weakness, relational or social weakness, educational weakness too can play a part in our lives. 

Have you ever been on a building site, office, factory line, church or basically anywhere people work together, and the conversation has quickly turned into a gossiping whirlwind destroying a person who is not in the room? I have seen this in most places where I have worked, the building site was a particularly savage environment for a weaker guy who was not able to rebuff the onslaught. 

'So what?', you might be asking, we know this happens, what should be the response? Well, there are a few things we can do, and we probably do the first already; not taking part. As the whirlwind goes around it is so easy for us to jump in with a witty put down and cutting remark, funny for a moment but so damaging to our credibility as Christians. 

Secondly, and perhaps this is where the rubber hits the road, we start to swim against the tide. When we do contribute it's a word of value or praise about the person, it's a voice of friendship that defends, supports and shows loyalty even if it means we are then the focus of the storm! 

I will always remember a news article by a girl called Lizzie. She suffered with a medical condition which meant she could not put on weight and looked very ill. She once found online a video of her as a child and above it the title 'Is this the world's ugliest person?' Watched by hundreds of thousands, Lizzie read each and every comment and not one fought for her, defended her and swam against the tide, not one! Imagine being that one who commented 'no, I disagree, she is beautiful and what you are saying is wrong. Stop.' 

We are mistaken if we think our strength to defend the weak and vulnerable stops when we get on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. Perhaps today this is one of the most prolific places we can use our strength and as Christian men defend the weak. 

QUESTIONS: 

• Who are the weak in your life? 
• How can you defend the weak and what would that mean for you? 
• Have you been part of exploiting the vulnerable and weak? 
• What would it cost you to swim against the tide in this?
• Do you want to? 

PRAYER 

Jesus help us be men of honour and integrity who never lack the courage to swim against the tides of life. Help us to be the ones who stand and defend the weak. Amen