What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?”

3/17/14

Years ago in 1966 there was a song by Jimmy Ruffin called What Becomes of a Broken Hearted?  I don’t know why this song has been in my spirit for the past few days but it has.   As I drive through the city of Los Angeles I see people, children and our youth with expressionless faces.  There is not one ray of hope in their eyes and no sense of joy on their faces.  It’s almost like they are they are the walking dead. 

The question I pose to you is, what becomes of the broken hearted in Los Angeles? In the community?  In your neighborhood?  This city is full of brokenhearted people.  There are people who once had dreams and hope for a future.  There are people who had the love of loved ones but have been separated by circumstance, trial and error.  They are roaming the city as lost souls who can’t find any peace of mind searching for something that will allow them to succeed in this life according to their definition of success.  And maybe their type of success is what’s got them where they are today.  But for whatever reason they are on the streets, those that may know JESUS have lost faith and hope in HIM.

What happens to these people who have been broken is so many pieces that there appears to be no foreseeable way to mend them?  What I see is a society who mocks, oppresses and ignores the poor and the worst part of this picture is believers are woven into the fabric of society and are intertwined just like every other person we know. 

What is our responsibility?  Are we doing enough as believers?  What does GOD expect from us? When I say us, I mean each of us as individuals.  Us doing something outside of giving our tithes and offerings. This isn’t a trick question.  Just what is expected of us? If we read the Bible then we are well aware of what GOD expects of us, it is very clear. But what has our response been as a people?  The Bible says this:

Deuteronomy 15:11 "For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'
Proverbs 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
Proverbs 17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Matt 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matt 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matt 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

In every one of these verses, and others not listed, GOD and JESUS are adamant about our attitude, our response, and the level of compassion that is required of us.  There is much need in our communities and there is time to regroup, be a blessing to others and follow in JESUS footsteps loving the disadvantaged unconditionally.   

How close do we resemble CHRIST in our dealings with the poor and needy?  Do they see us or do they see HIM?  What has our response, your response been when you saw the hungry? the naked? the thirsty? the one in prison? the stranger?  And finally, what would JESUS’ response be to any of us? Depart from me or well done?  It's something to think about.

GOD BLESS