June 28 - Contending Amongst Oppression.

Proverbs 28:3-4
“A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.”
 
The purpose of rain is to allow that which is planted to grow.
A sweeping rain is counter-productive, washing away that which it has grown.
 
The poor oppressing the poor is as destructive as rain that causes death instead of life.
 
John 12:32
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
 
Through oppression, He brings new life to those who die to themselves.
Until we submit our will for His, we will accomplish very little on our own merit.
 
John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
 
The Lord has given us His Word so that we may know Him.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to God without Him.
 
John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
 
Despite this Truth, there are still many that choose to forsake the Word while praising wickedness. We live in a day where right is wrong and wrong is right. Darkness abounds, therefore there is a greater need for us to shine the Light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
 
When we shine the Light, God enables us to contend for the faith amongst the oppression of the wicked. We are nothing without Him, but with Him we are able to all things.
 
John 15:7
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Chronicles 19-20  |  Colossians 1  |  Proverbs 28