We Are God's Hands

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. ~King David, the Psalmist (NIV)

I once was young, now I'm a graybeard— not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets. Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.~King David, the Psalmist (The Message)

I have heard this passage of scripture for over 20 years used as an affirmation, positive profession of God's provision in the lives of his children, us the believers. It can and should continue to be bookmarked into every believer's psyche the unrelenting characteristics of God's love, provision and protection for those who believe in him and on him.

In addition to that, we have a responsibility. King David in this passage was not prophesying or making a positive profession. He was remarking on what he had seen with his own eyes. He is saying during the course of his life, from a boy until his more seasoned age, he had not witnessed God forsaking his own or their children. He never witnessed a believer standing outside with a sign reading "Will Beg for Bread".

Why? Because believers were doing their parts to support one another. God uses people, every day, all day to bless others. Bottom line! He gives us preferential standing, called favor, and with it comes provision, protection and opportunities to excel. We are his hands and feet in the Earth. When we see someone that God has placed in our circle of life in need, they should not have to beg. We are vessels of provision for them.

Seasons change in life. There will be seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. We must sow seeds during our seasons of plenty so that when our seasons of lack come, we won't be affected because we will be reaping our harvests from what we have already sown. I'm sure that King David did his part as king, citizen and believer.

Let this scripture not just be an affirmation used to profess God's provision in someone's life or your own. Let it be a call to action, a call to duty. To whom much is given, much is likewise required.