Awake in the Dawn

The Act of Deliverance

Word

Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

Rescue the poor and helpless;

deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

— Psalm 82:3–4

Thought

Through the redemptive work of Christ, the Father made way for all who would follow Jesus to experience the ultimate deliverance from evil. Our Savior has also invited us to join him in the ongoing ministry of declaring and proclaiming his good news so that others would also know deliverance.

As the sons and daughters of God, we are invited to take part in relieving the fears and effects of poverty and providing security and shelter to the orphan. We are invited to declare what is right and do what is right in an unjust world. And we are invited to stand and announce that real emancipation over oppression lies within Christ and in relationship with him.

Yes, we are called to take part with Christ in the most important and enormous rescue mission in all the world: to be his voice, his hands, his feet! He has empowered us to make his cause our cause. Today is not a day to drift toward indifference and comfort, to seek our own way, or to give in to the pleasures of the world. Today, and every day following, is the day to stand in the power of his might against the wiles of the enemy, against evil. For where the spirit of the Lord is, freedom is there and evil is overcome.

Prayer

Jesus, let your name, your ways, and your fame stand gloriously strong, towering above all the powers of darkness! Amen.