DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: APRIL 23 OPPRESSOR AND THE WRATH OF GOD (3) SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 10: 1 – 3; 1 Kings 21: 22 – 24; Psalms 72: 12 – 14.

In yesterday’s devotional, we closed by hearing that some illnesses, sicknesses, physical deformation of children, consistent disasters as well as sudden financial crash in homes of the rich, the wealthy and the top leaders of our society are reflections of God’s wrath due their oppressive attitudes. The passage of today’s devotional stipulated that a day of punishment will come upon those who are oppressing the poor people. Rhetorically, the Bible said: “What will you do in the day of punishment, in the ruin that will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help; where will you leave your wealth?” (Isaiah 10: 3). The story of how King Ahab oppressively killed Naboth and took over his vineyard through the illful counsel of Jezebel conveyed how God rewards an oppressor. Ahab and his wife perfected their evil plan, God reacted by telling Ahab that his wife and households will be eaten up at the city gate just as Naboth was killed and dog ate his flesh (1 Kings 21: 22 – 24). At the reign of King Jehu, Jezebel and her households were killed. Seventy princes of the household of Ahab were beheaded and their heads packed in baskets and placed outside of the city (2 Kings 9: 30 – 37; 10: 6 – 8).

The beloved, God has not stopped punishing the oppressors of innocent people, whether poor or not. It might seem to the rich and the wealthy that God is no longer punishing oppressors of the poor, less privileged and the innocent ones. If the punishment is not seen today, it is surely going to be possible one day. The Bible has said that “The wicked shall not go unpunished” (Prov. 11: 21). Oppressions of people are in many forms these days. The oppressors talk as if they are greater and stronger than God. It has ever been so. But any day God’s wrath is released on the oppressors the damage is usually colossal. Yes, the lives of those being harassed and killed by the rich, wealthy and those desperate politicians may seem valueless. But God says in Psalms 72: 12 – 14, that the lives of the poor and less privileged are precious to Him. If this is so, then God will surely avenge on the oppressors.

Apparently, any leader or ruler who lacks understanding of those they are leading is qualified as oppressor in the Bible. Hear this: “The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor…” (Prov. 28: 16a KJV). Another version uses “ruler” for ‘prince.’ By application, those ruling over the less privilege, the poor and the ‘ordinary people’ refusing to understand their plights are oppressors. God will one day visits them with His wraths. The good side of this is that same God provides us with what to do to escape God’s wrath. Hear this: – “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean, remove evil deeds before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppressions, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s case” (Isaiah 1: 16 – 17).

PRAYER:

BLESSED LORD, cause all oppressors in our nations to change their hearts to defending the rights of the poor and the less privilege people. Touch the hearts of our leaders and turn them to fathers/mothers to the poor people in their kingdoms.

bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch