“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.

“But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
Excerpt from Luke 6

Today’s writing is in place of our regular M-F continuing series: A Temporary Throne, which will continue tomorrow, 5 August, 2014, God willing. – RH

WE are rich! And the world would entice us to buy even more.

However we fail to realize how some followers of Islam do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. We fail to see how some followers of Judaism do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. WE turn to the focus of evil used by the world to view the poor and the helpless, yet Christ Jesus, our returning Lord and Savior cautions us to LOVE our enemy and pray for those who persecute us.

In fact and deed most of us have no concept of the sacrifice of Christians and others among the poor of the world. Some dare not speak boldly: even against forces of evil at work in every country, every religion and every place where the rich buy and sell weapons – even the weapon of food.

Take as just one example one neglected place of people not deemed worthy of news: Niger (no, not Nigeria – Niger.)

The average lifespan of a person in Niger is approximately fifty-five years. Niger has the highest rate of child marriage in the world. Every 3 in 4 girls marry before their 18th birthday. (source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201407220901.html )

The average income per person for one year (except for the rich) is approximately $360 (source: World Bank, 2011). Niger’s main exports are livestock & uranium (by some rich) and major religions are Islam and indigenous beliefs. (Source: BBC)

Imagine trying to survive on less than $1 per day! IF you will not be fed and educated and live as one who will feed you, you will be persecuted, driven out or murdered by sword or starvation. This is the new war of the radical evangelizing jihadists.

Here is the Strong’s definition of the word Jesus uses for “POOR” – Reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; destitute of wealth, influence, position, honor; lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches; helpless, powerless to accomplish an end: poor, needy

What are we to do?

I do NOT have an answer. Only God has an answer for how each of us ought to help personally and help through our church.

Yet let us open our eyes to the severe suffering throughout the numerous battlegrounds – Niger, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, West Africa and so many more – for the lives and souls of so many who have not come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and God!

This day brings but rumors of war. The poor of the world will suffer much, even until the end! Even so, come Lord Jesus.