Helping hand

If you take away . . . the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, . . . [then] your darkness shall be as the noonday. – Isaiah 58:9-10

An 89-year-old man who enjoys creating new words to describe old problems calls a person who finds fault with everything an againstovist. "Whatever you suggest," he says, "that person is against it, and will find something wrong with everything you do."

I have pondered his words and too often find myself guilty of being the kind of person he describes. What I would like to call being a "realist" is, in truth, more like being an "againstovist." And that is not pleasing to God.

In the 58th chapter of Isaiah, the prophet said that the sacrificial lifestyle God desires includes: "to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free" (v. 6), to "take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness" (v. 9).

If I’m oppressing someone by my critical spirit and stinging words, then God says it’s time for me to change. He doesn’t want me to find fault: He wants me to give freedom and release. Instead of pointing an accusing finger, I am to lend a helping hand.

I can’t think of a new word to describe the person who lifts burdens and gives freedom, but I’m sure my friend can. And I hope that word describes me. – David McCasland

It was only a sunny smile

And little it cost in the giving,

But it scattered the night like morning light

And made the day worth living. – Anon.

READ: Isaiah 58:6-12

Build people up – don’t tear them down.

The Bible in one year:

• Isaiah 56-58

• 2 Thessalonians 2