The Defender of the Defenceless

https://odb.org/MY/2023/03/08/proclaim-2

There could be occasions in our lives when we are faced with forces much bigger and much more powerful than us. For example, if we are a government servant, the whole government machinery is quite impossible for us as individuals to take on. Even large corporates, if they are our employers, are beyond us. In my situation, changes at my previous workplace made it difficult for me to continue despite having been there for a long time. Old was looked upon as passe even though the new kids on the block weren’t exactly doing a fantastic job.

Fortunately, in my case, the Lord opened a door for me in a startup created by an established telecommunications company looking to expand its revenue base due to market changes. As I was at my previous employment for many years, I was offered a small severance package, and with my new job, it was certainly a win-win that only God in His compassion, grace and love could make possible. He was indeed the defender of the defenceless, which, in a contemporary context, need not necessarily mean orphans, widows, or the foreigner. Anyone facing forces much larger than us can be, in my view, in that situation, and the Lord is gracious and kind and is our defender.

His grace and compassion did not stop there, as when I started work at my new place, I realised how positively different my new work environment is in terms of the culture and expectations. The commute to work became just a 7km 15 mins drive when it was a 50km 45-minute journey previously. I get to live in Petaling Jaya during weekdays, the city where I had spent my university days more than 30 years ago. In a way, I now have the opportunity to relive my college days when I was just a small town boy adapting to the bright city lights! In addition to all that, recent developments indicate that the skill sets that I had previously developed at my previous place were in demand here as the parent’s legal department, although has 50 lawyers, none with M&A experience. To top it all, M&A is what I enjoyed doing the most. I’m really thankful and grateful to the Lord for being my defender, and the question now is what lies ahead from Him in terms of His future plans and purposes for me in ministry and service.

The message today is that if we are caught out in a defenceless situation where we are most vulnerable and that can be in an abusive relationship, or against forces much larger than us like that of the all powerful employer against a mere employee (even Steve Jobs couldn’t take on his board at the early stages of his career in the Apple he founded and created!), God can and will be our defender. He has His ways to provide us a way out and give us a new lease of life elsewhere. He will defend our dignity and restore our confidence and self-esteem. If we are faced with a situation involving our stand for Jesus, He will be the defender of our faith! Put our trust in the Lord, our God, and He will take care of us! AMEN!