What does God say about those who are helpless?

Isaiah 3:14The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: “You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor.”

Jeremiah 49:11“I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help.”

Zephaniah 3:19“I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed.”

The helpless are at the top of God’s priority list. God judges those who exploit the helpless. He is the ultimate defender and protector of the helpless, and he urges us to defend and help them, too.

Matthew 7:9-11“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

Just as a child can depend on his or her parents, we can depend on our heavenly Father in our helplessness.

Matthew 6:26“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”

God even watches over the sparrows. Surely he will watch over us, too!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Our weaknesses and helplessness are hardly obstacles to God’s power. In fact, recognizing our own helplessness is the first step to allowing that power to work in us.