Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada with a very special word for you today...
It has something to do with a time when I was a kid in elementary school. I recall seeing a bunch of older kids teasing a very hard-of-hearing classmate behind his back. I knew this boy, his name was Benjamin, and although I knew he couldn't hear those bullies badmouth him, it sure did break my heart. Kids can be pretty rough on their peers when there's a disability involved.
Thankfully, God's word has something to say about that. In Leviticus 19:14, the Lord says outright, "Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord." I bet that hard-of-hearing kid, Benjamin, would appreciate that, but what a strange thing for God to say: "Do not curse the deaf." Like those older kids in elementary school teasing Benjamin, when you did bad-mouth a deaf person, he couldn’t actually hear you. The same thing goes if you placed a stumbling block – a chair or a hassock or table – if you place that thing in front of a blind person, he wouldn't be able to see you do it, right? So what's God saying here?
First, he is saying that he takes the side of the poor, the lame, and those who are deaf or blind. God takes the side of Benjamin – He is the guardian and protector of those who are at a disadvantage. God takes the position of their advocate, which literally means to "give voice to those who have no voice." But what else is God saying here? Is there a broader application of that verse in Leviticus?
Yes, there is: God wants you (and even those bullies in school), he wants us to grasp the fact that he hears your hurtful comments, even though others are out of earshot. God sees your mischievous behavior, even though others can't observe what you're doing. The Lord says in Numbers 32 that "... you may be sure that your sin will find you out." Though the people you may say disparaging things against or gossip about may not be aware of your malice, God is aware. That is why he follows that command "do not curse the deaf"... he follows it with the warning, "Fear God. I am the Lord."
So, today friend, find a way you can take the side of the poor, the elderly, or the disabled. Serve as a guardian and protector of those in need. If you do, you’re copying God; you’re glorifying Him. But the larger lesson may well be this: God will see what you’re doing, He knows what you’re thinking; He hears what you’re saying even if nobody else does… even if you think no one’s watching or can hear you. The stuff you do in private, well, it’s not so private, is it? That’s plenty of reason right there to fear God, right?! It’s true. Disabilities – like being deaf or blind – can generate hurt and pain. I sure wish I knew where Benjamin lived because I would like to tell him the sorts of things I’ve shared with you today… that God is his advocate and protector. I would also want to share with him several copies of my tract I wrote called “Why?” which I mentioned earlier this week. You can get yours when you connect with me today at joniandfriendsradio.org… this little tract (and I’ll send you three of them) covers some pretty powerful insights as to why God allows so much pain and heartache, so much suffering. So visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org and I'll get those copies of the “Why?” tract off to you right away so you can give them to your friends who have tough questions about suffering and the goodness of God. Please write or visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org. Of course you can always call and talk to one of our team members by dialing 1-888-522-5664.Either way, please know I’m praying Romans 15 over you where it says once again, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Spirit.”
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