“ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31: 9).

A popular reality show, “What Would You Do,” creates life situations of injustice to see if ordinary people will step in to rescue others. John Quinones, the show’s host, records the scenes and later speaks with a witness about his reason for defending or not defending the victim. It is dishearten to see that many people will not act to defend the rights of innocent victims. Are they right or wrong? According to Solomon, they certainly are wrong. Solomon instructs us in Proverbs 31:8-9 to speak up for the poor and for those who can’t defend themselves.

The next time you find yourself in a what-would-you-do situation, be sure to follow Jesus’ example. He stepped in one day to help a woman facing execution by stoning for her sin. As the story goes, the Pharisees and scribes brought an adulterous woman to Jesus telling Him that the woman was caught in the act. In His wisdom, instead of condemning the women, Jesus taught the accusers a lesson in compassion by defending her. He told the one without sin to cast the first stone. One by one, they walked away because they too were all guilty of sin. In the end, Jesus and the woman were left alone, and He asked her, “Where are your accusers. Are there none?” She told him that no man accused her. Jesus forgave her and told her to go and sin no more (John 8: 1-30).

As a Christian, it is our duty to speak up for right. We should never stand by and watch the innocent, the poor, or the needy bullied or misused by others.

Prayer: Dear God, give us the strength and the desire to fight for those in need. Help us to speak up for others, even if it means that we ourselves will suffer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.