When snow buries grazing land, farmers must feed their herds by hand. As hay is tossed from a trailer, the strongest animals push their way to the front. Timid or sickly animals get little or no feed unless the farmer intervenes.

Workers in refugee camps report a similar pattern. When food and water arrives, the weak and timid may not make it to the front of the line. Like the farmers, these aid workers must take steps to ensure that their services reach the feeble, weary and sick at the edge of society’s attention.

They are carrying out a principle set forth by God long ago. In Leviticus 19, Moses instructed Israel’s farmers to leave portions of their crops so the poor and the stranger could have something to eat (vv.9-10).

We too can serve as caretakers to the weak and weary. Whether we’re helping quiet new recruits to open up, coming alongside a struggling companions, looking out for new arrivals at the training camps or showing attention to our children, we honour God by helping others.

As we seek to serve those in need, may the grace of God that reached us in our need move us to reach out to others in theirs.

Author

Randy Kilgore

Topics

Our Daily Bread