What actions can we take to ensure we hear the cries of the needy? The Cry God Always Hears Job 34:28 tells us that the wicked “caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.” God’s ears are never closed; ours sometimes are. If we want lives aligned with His, we must be intentional about hearing what He already hears. Why We Sometimes Miss the Cries • Noise – an over-crowded schedule and constant media drown out real human voices • Distance – living, shopping, and worshiping in places the needy seldom enter • Self-interest – guarding comfort or reputation instead of pursuing compassion • Spiritual dullness – ignoring the Spirit’s prompting until conscience grows quiet (Ephesians 4:19) Actions That Tune Our Ears and Hearts 1. Slow down and listen on purpose • Schedule regular “margin time” where you are interruptible. • Practice eye-contact conversations with those society rushes past. 2. Draw near physically • Volunteer where needs are voiced firsthand—shelters, prisons, hospitals. • Open your home for a meal; hospitality melts barriers (Romans 12:13). 3. Engage your church family • Form or join a benevolence team so no cry reaches the congregation unheard (Acts 4:34-35). • Encourage testimonies from those helped—hearing stories trains more ears. 4. Guard steady generosity • Set aside a fixed percentage of income for mercy ministry (1 Corinthians 16:2). • Keep a “ready fund” in wallet or phone app for immediate small gifts. 5. Lift their names in prayer • Intercession readies the heart to notice practical follow-up (Galatians 6:2). • Pray with the person when possible; shared prayer amplifies their voice. 6. Advocate where silence hurts • Speak for children, widows, refugees, and unborn who cannot speak (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Vote, write, and serve in ways that protect the vulnerable. 7. Teach the next generation • Bring children on visits; model listening. • Memorize verses on mercy together—“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer” (Proverbs 21:13). Scripture Snapshots That Move Us • Deuteronomy 15:11 – “I command you to open your hand to your brother and to the needy and poor in your land.” • Isaiah 58:6-7 – true fasting “share your bread with the hungry… do not turn away from your own flesh and blood.” • Matthew 25:40 – serving “the least of these” is serving Christ Himself. • James 1:27 – pure religion cares for “orphans and widows in their distress.” • 1 John 3:17 – withholding compassion questions whether God’s love abides in us. Living Out Job 34:28 Today • Keep your life arranged so a poor person’s cry can actually reach you. • Let every encounter become a prompt: “Father, You hear; help me hear.” • Act swiftly—love delayed too long sounds like indifference. • Expect joy: “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD will deliver him in times of trouble” (Psalm 41:1). The more we cultivate this posture, the more our ears—and our hands—mirror the Lord who “heard the outcry of the afflicted.” |
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