Justice: A Plan for Kidsنموونە

Story

Have you ever played Roblox, Minecraft or Fortnite with people that aren’t very good? Maybe you aren’t into gaming, but you’ve probably played sports with other kids at recess or at the park or played a board game like Monopoly, Checkers or Sorry with someone who didn't do so well. Or maybe you know someone who is awesome at drawing, singing or spelling, but you're not as good at those things. 

No matter what game, sport or activity we're talking about, there are always some kids that are better than others. Is that fair? Yes! In fact, not only is it fair and perfectly okay, but it's also something we should expect because different people have different things they're good at. 

But what about when someone is made fun of, excluded from a birthday party, a  project, or a group of friends because they aren’t good at something? Is that fair? Is that right? Is that what God wants? 

Bible

“Set free those who are held by chains without any reason. Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves. Set free those who are crushed. Break every evil chain. Share your food with hungry people. Provide homeless people with a place to stay. Give naked people clothes to wear. Provide for the needs of your own family. Then the light of my blessing will shine on you like the rising sun.”—Isaiah 58:6–8 

Think

Hold the phone! Nobody is holding anyone down with chains or ropes here! Well, you’re right . . . kind of. This part of the Bible comes from a time long ago when that was happening, though, a time when people were kept as slaves. 

So let's think of it a little differently. Picture a long hallway at your school filled with classrooms on both sides of the hallway. Instead of your regular classmates, there are all different types of people in the rooms. You walk past one door and see a big sign on it that says, HUNGRY. Another door says, HOMELESS, and the next door says, LONELY. Another door says MISTREATED. Each of these doors has a different key that will unlock it and free the people trapped in each classroom. This key could be food, shelter or a friend having someone to defend them.

Sometimes, it’s easy to walk around and not see the people trapped behind these doors, but not do anything about it. What God wants is for those who follow Him to do something about it! Just like He wanted the Israelites He was speaking to in Isaiah 58 to break every chain of slavery and help people who are in need, He wants us to break the same chains and speak up for people who aren't being heard, defend those who are being oppressed (treated really badly and unfairly), and to help people who are hungry, lonely, sick, homeless, and fatherless.. 

Do Something

Ask your parents to help you research a place that gives food to homeless people, or clothes to people that need them, and ask if you can give $1 to that organization or donate some of your clothes that you don't wear anymore.

Pray

Dear God, thank You for fighting for people who don’t have food or clothes or a house to live in. Help me to see how I can be a friend to someone who doesn’t have one, or how I can help give food to someone who is hungry. Thank You for loving me and everyone else in the world more than we could ever imagine! Amen.