Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

Proverbs 18:23-24 (NLT)
23 The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

On the day we’re born, we’re brought into this world with so much optimism – at least I don’t think the first thought of a parent is “good luck fool, your life’s gonna suck”.

“Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers….” This isn’t about us alone; this is about us as a people.

I think “not following the wicked” has more to do with “the poor plead for mercy” than it does with our good behavior; that by bearing fruit we’re bringing God’s law, God’s plan, God’s mercy, to water all. We are the river.

The poor plead for mercy. The poor plead for mercy, while the rich use them for power, peeing in their Wheaties, huddled in their warm cars isolated from being poor because they are good….

That’s not God’s plan.

When the poor plead for mercy, how do you answer?