While many references in the Bible reveal God’s heart for the least, the lost, and the lonely in our world, these are the references chosen by those who contributed to this work.
Please click on the author to read the devotion based on their Scripture reference.
This is a list of a few agencies that provide support for those experiencing homelessness in Anderson County. The Anderson County Community Resource Guide, whether printed or available online, provides over 300 resources within our county. The online platform is used by some surrounding counties as well:
Summary: To provide offenders, former offenders, the homeless, at-risk youth, veterans, and their families with the tools they need to become productive citizens.
Summary: We are working to connect people to resources while highlighting the needs of Anderson County and collaborating with government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to reduce or eliminate barriers for solving problems in our community.
Contact info: Dave Phillips & Zoë Hale, 864-359-2396, dave@myresourceguide.org or zoe@myresourceguide.org
Summary: We provide a safe place to meet the needs of youth and young adults ages 17-22 who are at risk for homelessness, in crisis situations or need help identifying and implementing their goals.
Summary: This ministry will, in the spirit of God’s call to compassion, serve the homeless, poor, and marginalized by providing basic hygiene, cleanliness with showers and laundry, mail and phone access, and help direct them toward the availability of other services they may need.
Summary: Family Promise has two safe spaces for families. At our day center, the staff delivers case management services, coordinates community services, and provides other support as needed. We are focused on providing ways to get families into more stable housing situations, thereby breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Summary: HOPE Missions of the Upstate provides hope and healing to our community by meeting basic needs while looking for specific opportunities to improve individual circumstances. Come meet with our services navigator, care coordinator, and other agency staff onsite!
Contact info: Dave Phillips, 864-359-2396, dave@hopeupstate.org, or Zoë Hale, 864-356-2396, zoe@hopeupstate.org
Summary: The McKinney-Vento legislation provides access for children without a permanent address to attend public school. Homeless children and youth can remain in their school of origin for the duration of homelessness and the end of the academic year in which they obtain permanent housing, and receive referrals to health, dental, and other appropriate services.
Summary: SHELTER + (plus) is taking a traditional shelter model and expanding the capacity of supportive services for each individual experiencing homelessness. The goal is to reduce the days of homelessness the individual experiences and create a continuum that allows the person to not have to return to homelessness.
Summary: We envision the South Main Chapel & Mercy Center as the front porch to the Kingdom of God. We are an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed with hospitality.
Contact info: Kurt Stutler- Pastor/ Director, 864-437-8298, kstutler@southmainmercy.org
Summary: On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4–6 pm, food becomes your avenue to show Jesus’ love and build lasting relationships with friends from the community.
Summary: We connect people at risk for or currently experiencing homelessness with safe, sustainable, and affordable homes. We work to promote and preserve the dignity and quality of life for all citizens in Upstate South Carolina.
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use within the community effort framework. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in and respect for the rights of people who use drugs. SAMHSA describes harm reduction as an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives and potentially save their lives[1]. It is a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies – including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion – to empower people who use drugs (and their families) with the choice to live healthy, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives. Harm reduction centers the lived and living experience of people who use drugs, especially those in underserved communities, on these strategies and the practices that flow from them.
By acknowledging the realities of a person’s circumstances, harm reduction strategies focus on minimizing the risks associated with substance use while simultaneously addressing the social determinants that contribute to an individual’s situation. This approach provides immediate support while paving the way for longer-term recovery and stability.
Harm reduction emphasizes engaging directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission; improve physical, mental, and social well-being; and offer low-barrier options for accessing health care services, including substance use and mental health disorder treatment. This is achieved through prevention, treatment, and recovery, as well as empowering people to reach their own goals through incremental change.
Organizations that practice harm reduction incorporate a spectrum of strategies that meet people where they are—on their own terms—and may serve as a pathway to additional health and social services, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Harm reduction works by addressing broader health and social services through improved policies, programs, and practices. This is the key pillar in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategy. Harm reduction organizations can fill a gap by providing services that people feel they need in order to make a positive change. Those services save lives by being available and accessible in a manner that emphasizes the need for humility and compassion toward people who use drugs. These organizations play a significant role in preventing drug-related deaths and increasing access to health care, social services, and treatment, including treatment for infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C.
A substance use disorder is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. It is a pattern of symptoms resulting from the use of a substance that an individual continues to take despite experiencing problems as a result.
SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) definition states substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
According to the DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, substance use disorder falls into four major groupings: impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria (i.e., tolerance and withdrawal.) This can be further broken down into two categories: substance abuse and substance dependence.
The criteria for substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period: recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (i.e., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions, or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household).
Recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating machinery when impaired by substance use).
Recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for substance-related disorderly conduct).
Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of a substance (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights).
The criteria for substance dependency are a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following occurring at any time in a 12-month period.
Tolerance, as defined by either of the following: (a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substances to achieve intoxication or desired effect, or (b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following: (a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance, or (b) the same (or closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.
A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover from its effects.
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).
Most historical Christian leaders have experienced a period of spiritual “wilderness,” or a time of intense inner struggle, doubt, or a sense of distance from God, like those identified in the scriptures. These seasons of desolation and isolation were crucial to their spiritual development and ministry. Here are some prominent figures who underwent such experiences, arranged in chronological order:
Martin Luther (1483–1546)
Wilderness Experience: Luther’s trials included deep spiritual despair, doubts about his salvation, and fear of God’s judgment, especially during his early monastic years. This intense personal struggle was partly why he became so focused on justification by faith.
Impact on Faith: His wrestling with God’s grace and judgment was pivotal to the Protestant Reformation, particularly his doctrine of *sola fide* (faith alone).
St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556)
Wilderness Experience: After a severe battle injury, Ignatius underwent a prolonged spiritual crisis, during which he experienced significant doubts and temptations while trying to discern his new vocation. He spent a year in a cave at Manresa in deep reflection, where he faced both spiritual illumination and desolation.
Impact on Faith: His spiritual wilderness culminated in the development of the “Spiritual Exercises,” a foundational text for Jesuit spirituality, focused on discerning God’s will even in desolation.
St. John of the Cross (1542–1591)
Wilderness Experience: St. John of the Cross famously wrote about the “Dark Night of the Soul,” which refers to a profound spiritual crisis where a believer feels abandoned by God. His writings describe a necessary purging of the soul to experience divine union with God. His own life included significant hardship, including imprisonment and spiritual desolation.
Impact on Faith: His teachings became central to understanding how suffering and divine silence can lead to deeper union with God, and he became a key figure in Christian mysticism.
St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582)
Wilderness Experience: Teresa of Ávila experienced years of spiritual dryness, confusion, and a lack of consolation in prayer. She also faced severe physical illness, which further compounded her spiritual struggles.
Impact on Faith: Her perseverance in prayer during these periods led to profound mystical experiences and spiritual insights, which she documented in her writings. These later became central to Catholic spirituality and mysticism.
John Bunyan (1628–1688)
Wilderness Experience: Bunyan, best known for “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” endured years of spiritual struggle and doubt about his salvation. His intense inner conflicts were exacerbated by his time in prison for preaching without a license.
Impact on Faith: These experiences directly influenced “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” in which Christian, the main character, travels through his own spiritual wilderness before reaching salvation.
John Wesley (1703–1791)
Wilderness Experience: Wesley, the founder of Methodism, experienced a significant spiritual wilderness in the early 1730s. His time in the American colonies was marked by failure, fear of death, and deep personal doubt about his faith.
Impact on Faith: His Aldersgate experience in 1738, where he felt his heart “strangely warmed,” marked the end of this period of wilderness and sparked the Methodist revival. His wilderness experience shaped his emphasis on personal conversion and assurance of salvation.
Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892)
Wilderness Experience: Spurgeon, the famous Baptist preacher, suffered from frequent bouts of severe depression and spiritual desolation throughout his ministry. His depression was partly caused by physical illness, the burden of his pastoral work, and personal tragedies.
Impact on Faith: His openness about his depression and spiritual struggles helped normalize mental health issues within Christian circles and provided encouragement for others who faced similar difficulties.
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Wilderness Experience: C.S. Lewis experienced a time of deep spiritual crisis following the death of his wife, Joy Davidman. This period, which he described in his book “A Grief Observed,” caused him to question his faith, God’s goodness, and the purpose of suffering.
Impact on Faith: Although shaken, Lewis emerged from this wilderness with a deeper understanding of grief and faith, which influenced his later works on Christian apologetics and the topic of suffering.
Mother Teresa (1910–1997)
Wilderness Experience: Mother Teresa experienced decades of spiritual dryness, where she felt abandoned by God, a period described in her letters as a “dark night” lasting most of her ministry. Despite this, she continued her work among the poor with unwavering commitment.
Impact on Faith: Her perseverance during this long spiritual wilderness inspired many, and her writings have revealed the depth of her faith in God’s presence even amid desolation.
Henri Nouwen (1932–1996)
Wilderness Experience: Nouwen struggled with loneliness, feelings of rejection, and a deep inner longing for affirmation. His time working at L’Arche, a community for people with intellectual disabilities, became a spiritual wilderness where he confronted his insecurities and desires for acceptance.
Impact on Faith: His writings, particularly “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” reflect on this wilderness period as a necessary stage of spiritual growth. He embraced vulnerability and authenticity in his relationship with God.
Common Themes in Spiritual Wilderness:
Spiritual Desolation: A sense of being distant from God or abandoned by Him.
Doubt and Fear: These leaders often questioned their own faith, worthiness, and calling.
Purification and Growth: The wilderness was seen as a refining period, often leading to deeper spiritual insights and a stronger connection to God.
This wilderness phase, often described as a necessary path to spiritual growth, shaped their own theology, writings, and contributions to Christian thought. They were eternally changed through the process.
After years of serving those in deep need in our community, I’m beginning to see how far from Christ I have drifted and how blind I was to pain and suffering right before my eyes. Even with perfect physical vision and hearing, we cannot see that which we choose not to see. We cannot hear if we do not listen. And we cannot love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, when we walk on the other side of the tracks, refusing to lend a hand.
I’m honored to stand alongside those who contributed to this effort. Their stories reveal hearts in tune with God’s desire for all to have a loving relationship with the Father. I was moved by the response when I asked them to write a devotion or provide content to draw attention to issues we face every day. I can’t thank you enough! As we move into the next season of serving, I hope we will remember Jesus’ mandate:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34
Jesus commands that we “must” love one another. We have the hope of eternal joy with our Lord Jesus Christ, but it includes fellowship that begins now. Several nonprofits serve those in the community who have been beaten down by a world that has lived up to Jesus’ promise, “In this world, you will have trouble,” so that they no longer live with the joy intended. The joy found in community. The joy found in a loving Christian fellowship we call koinonia – the love of fellow believers. Money can’t buy koinonia, but the lack of funds for basic needs continues to degrade those we serve. Words like unworthy, deadbeat, useless, lazy, addict, whore, stupid, and many more denigrate those we have come to know – all made in the image of God. All we call brothers and sisters – our neighbors.
What we have found is many struggle to beat the identity that the world has tattooed on their forehead.
We see hopelessness in the faces of elderly guests who have been evicted or are no longer able to support themselves.
We see hopelessness in older adults who have lost one too many jobs and live week to week, just getting by.
We see hopelessness in the faces of domestic violence victims, abused children who have become addicted adults, or worse.
We see hopelessness in those struggling with invisible trauma disguised as mental illness or covered by substance use disorders.
We see hopelessness.
We see with broken hearts and eyes wide open.
We see.
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
The promise of Jesus in John 16:33 erases the labels the world attaches. Jesus has won!
If we only saw hopelessness, we would simply be wallowing in misery, but this is not the end of the story. Yes, we see the pain, but we have seen incredible joy.
We have seen families reunited, the homeless move into homes, the lost become found, and the least of these in our society who have found hope.
The least expensive way to prevent homelessness is simply to provide a meal.
We’ve connected people with services that provide temporary relief as they get back on their feet. We have served people by navigating the difficult process of staying housed or finding attainable housing. Often, this requires a one-time investment of $300 to $3,000 – a barrier our clients cannot manage on their own.
We need your support, your presence, and your prayers
Your Support. No solution is possible without money. Those of us with boots on the ground need support to pay salaries for those who have answered a vocational calling to serve the hurting in our community. These few provide direct support to individuals and are able to navigate the cumbersome process of applying for benefits or paying bills through systems that, more than ever, require technology many do not understand or know how to interact with. We also need support to eliminate financial barriers that prevent people from becoming unhoused or help them attain housing. We need funds to cover the cost of recovery programs as individuals reach the point where they know they cannot do it themselves, but have no money to fund their decision. The list goes on and on, but please know that your financial contributions make the impossible possible for hundreds of people in our area.
Your Presence. We need you to show up—somewhere. Those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior embody Christ’s very nature through the Holy Spirit. Your presence makes a huge difference. Show up at HOPE Missions Monday through Saturday. Show up at The LOT Project. Show up at the Mercy Center. Serve at one of dozens of food pantries or places serving meals. Serve your brothers and sisters with gladness and joy. Your presence lets people know we are willing to be the roadside Samaritan. We see Jesus in the hungry, the widow, the orphan, those in jail, those naked, those fighting battles we may never know or understand. Your presence means more than you know. Just show up.
Your Prayers. Above all else, we need your consistent prayers. If you have served in any frontline organization, you know the stories of the hundreds of guests we serve each month. Father Gregory Boyle reminds us that,
The measure of our compassion lies not in our service of those on the margins, but only in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them. The compassion of Jesus is the one we seek. The one that can stand in awe of what the poor have to carry, rather than stand judgment at how they carry it.
Father Gregory Boyle
When we learn to stand in awe of the burdens our brothers and sisters bear, we pray differently. We are moved from pity to action. We are no longer on the sidelines complaining about the referee’s bad call. We find mud on our shoes, dirt on our hands, and tears stain our faces. Our prayers become directed and more effective because we pray from a position of experience with the hurting and a posture of humility. We pray without ceasing. We pray.
I’ve tried to paint the picture much larger than one organization can handle because it is much more than we can do alone. We are all in the battle together. I hope you will support each agency, but far more, I hope you will have stories to tell, experiences to reflect on, and confidence that Jesus will be talking about you when you read Matthew 25:40.
For the hundreds of volunteer servants who have served – thank you!
For the donors that send us checks every month – thank you!
For those who continue to pray for our work in the community – thank you!
We literally would be lost without all of you.
For others who hear the calling in this message, I pray you will join us. The work is not easy—that was never a promise. But my oh my, the eternal rewards are worth every hour, every drop of sweat, and every tear shed as we serve each day. We are spending ourselves for those who need it most (see Isaiah 58:9b-10).
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
The key focus of this devotional is to help soften our hearts for those experiencing homelessness. I’ve often quoted Andy Stanley’s assertion, “The farther you are from the problem, the simpler the solution appears to be.” In this context, his point is simple: from a distance, homelessness appears to be a monolithic issue that can be solved by simply throwing money at the problem. The inverse of the quote is equally powerful:
The closer you are to the problem, the more complex the solution.
As we get to know more people experiencing homelessness, we discover that each case is unique and has its own set of incredible challenges. In the Bible, God has much to say about how we treat the poor. Some quotes are very specific, while others reveal His heart for the hurting as a theme. One day, this will likely become a 365-day devotional—even then, we’ll have to pare down the scriptural references.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah preaches both wrath and mercy throughout the text. Isaiah lived in a time when Israel was in great decline. He witnessed great oppression for God’s people and strongly spoke about judgment for those who opposed God, while mercy was freely given to those who sought the Lord and held fast to His ways. The crises facing the Christian church today make Isaiah read like contemporary news. For example, Isaiah 58:7 is very clear about our responsibility:
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Isaiah 58:7
The term “poor wanderer” fits the definition of homelessness appropriately. Isaiah knows that simply telling us to share food and clothing is not enough. Let this passage sink in:
Don’t mistreat others or falsely accuse them or say something cruel. Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless. Then your light will shine in the dark; your darkest hour will be like the noonday sun.
Isaiah 58:9b-10 (CEV)
Let’s stop all the finger-pointing and endless talk about “the homeless population.” My prayer is that we will learn how to see one another with new eyes. Taking Isaiah’s advice, let us consider how we oppress the poor in our community and how malicious talk does nothing to solve the problems within it. Instead, let’s consider investing in ways to ensure no one is hungry or marginalized, especially the least, the lost, and the lonely in our society.
Within this devotional, you’ll meet people from all walks of life. For the most part, most probably wouldn’t have identified these folks as homeless. They don’t fit the stereotype of one experiencing homelessness. So, who are these people? What causes them to become homeless?
The number one cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. The number of renters with extremely low incomes far surpasses the number of available affordable rental units. A 2012 study found that only 5.8 million rental units were affordable, compared to more than 10 million households that were identified as extremely low-income. After paying rent and utilities, 75% of these households end up with less than half of their income to cover necessities such as food, medicine, transportation, or childcare.[1]
Housing
At the very heart of the homelessness issue is a lack of housing stock. The lack of affordable and attainable housing is a well-documented national issue. If we had the right type of housing for every individual, there would be no homelessness, but this is easier said than done. Regardless of your religious or political affiliation, we simply must agree that:
There is no solution for homelessness that does not involve housing.
Homelessness is a housing issue, and sadly, it is a growing concern for our community as people are increasingly attracted to the low price of living in our spacious counties. According to the 2024 State of Homelessness report, the number of people experiencing homelessness in our area continues to increase[2]. The report includes this significant statement:
Despite the high costs of living, wages have remained stagnant. In addition to these factors, the rise in housing costs, utilities costs and fuel costs have been significant. The costs of basic needs like food and beverages have increased more than 20% on average due to inflation since 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. For low-income families and individuals, these factors lead to increased eviction rates, a lack of “affordable” housing, unsheltered homelessness and children living without a permanent nighttime residence.[3]
Homelessness is a result of many factors coming to bear on an individual (or family) all at the same time. The United States Interagency on Homelessness provides this startling statement:
more than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and one crisis away from homelessness.[4]
I will continue to preach that the solution for homelessness is our responsibility as Christ followers. We are not looking for a government solution. However, we are looking for government cooperation. In that regard, it’s worth investing time in learning what thought leaders have published about homelessness. For example, the federal agency that exists to prevent and ultimately end homelessness provides answers to commonly asked questions: USICH Report. Please take a moment to read this thought-provoking section from the government’s perspective, and then consider our responsibility as Christ-followers.
Who are “the homeless”?
When someone waves their hand and says, “Those homeless people…” they are typically referring to a relatively small number of people who are chronically homeless. During the Point in Time (PIT) Count in 2024, 296 individuals were identified as homeless in Anderson County. Most of these (232) were classified as unsheltered. This means that 232 people were living in some space that was not meant for human habitation. The actual number of those experiencing homelessness is far greater. For example, the South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness[5] reported:
In 2023, HMIS data shows that more than 3 times the number of persons received homeless services across the state than counted on the single night of the PIT count.
The data below is part of an official report to HUD by our Continuum of Care (Upstate CoC). In this table, Anderson County ranks #1 for having the most unsheltered homeless in the Upstate. That should come as no surprise since we only have one emergency shelter in our county: The Salvation Army’s Stringer Emergency Lodge. This 1955 building can house 22 men and 10 women with additional spaces for two families and some transitional accommodations. The total of 59 reported here exceeds their operational capacity and reveals their heart for those experiencing homelessness.
One emergency shelter in Anderson County is clearly not enough. As the population continues to grow, we need more capacity.
But these numbers only represent the unsheltered and chronically homeless. They do not address a much larger number of people moving in and out of homelessness throughout the year. If we could capture the data, our local hotels would provide some great insight into this issue. Scores of people fill this expensive resource due to eviction or defaulting on mortgages.
Our experience in working with hundreds of individuals reveals a startling truth: the difference between being housed and unhoused can often be quantified as having a one-time expense of $300 to $3,000. That’s it. Once this seemingly insurmountable barrier is overcome, the individuals or families involved have the greatest chance of becoming a productive part of society again. These represent the car wreck scenario painted at the beginning. But it’s not just simply writing a check for $432 and moving to the next case. Those who find themselves in the ditch need supportive services to heal from the traumatic event completely. It is naïve to think we can just put someone into housing without follow-on support.
Homeless Services
While housing is key, it is not the only thing required. The term “homeless services” carries significant weight. It is most challenging, and it is different for each individual. We have a great need for homeless services in Anderson County and throughout the Upstate. These services will not be within one agency—it takes a team effort. Coordinating the effort is much like someone leaving the hospital after surgery for a broken bone. The discharge planner has a host of recommendations and requirements. The individual needs to comply with these instructions for their own good. Each is tailored to the individual, but success is best for those who make their follow-up appointments and follow the care coordinator’s advice. It’s no different for someone being housed after experiencing homelessness.
There are two key takeaways from this section:
We need to invest in homeless services to effectively navigate the complexity of recovery, and
We need to work together.
Challenge moving forward
My dream is that all who read this devotion will have their hearts changed for those experiencing homelessness. The heart-change will inform the response. I have complete trust that the Holy Spirit will move through the hearts of those who care for one another as Christ demonstrated and commanded. With softened hearts, we will naturally look for ways to get involved in serving alongside agencies that are attempting to provide specific services to those in need.
To be boldly optimistic, I believe we can be that generation that changed the story of homelessness for everyone. We can be those people who simply decided not to turn away from the unhoused. I believe God expects us to do the heavy lifting while giving Him all the glory. And I believe the Body of Christ will be better for the effort. One family comprised of people from all socioeconomic backgrounds united by Christ.
Author: Dave Phillips
Dave Phillips
As the reluctant Executive Director of HOPE Missions of the Upstate, I confess I am a recovering Pharisee, and I am a sinner saved by God’s Grace. Prior to 2019, I had plenty of preconceived notions of the homeless population, a term that now makes me cringe. Serving at HOPE Missions, I have seen thousands of faces of those who enter our doors for a free breakfast, for coffee, and, mostly, for fellowship. I’ve seen the despised blossom into beauty. I’ve dined with the formerly incarcerated, who now have thriving professional businesses and growing families. I can introduce you to the formerly addicted who now lead people out of bondage. I’ve been disappointed by many, spat upon, cussed out, and threatened, but I have yet to lose my heart for the least, the lost, and the lonely. All made in the image of God. All worthy of love from the King of kings, the Lord of lords. I count it a privilege to serve the poorest of the poor, and I long for the day when we stop classifying people by worldly wealth.
Footnotes
[1] https://homelesslaw.org/. The Law Center works in a variety of arenas to help the nation’s 3.5 million people who are experiencing homelessness and its many inhumane effects.
[2] South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness (SCICH) 2024 State of Homelessness Report, Executive Summary: In Fiscal Year (FY) 23, homelessness and housing insecurity in SC continued to increase. The number of persons counted on a single night in January 2023 rose 11% over persons counted during the January 2022 Point in Time Count. In 2022, 3,608 persons reported a homeless experience as compared to 4,053 persons counted in 2023. The population of children living without stable housing in SC schools continued to climb as well, with 13,770 children reporting experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in FY23 over the FY22 total of 11,970 – a 13% increase.
[3] South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness (SCICH) 2024 State of Homelessness Report
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.
3May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. 5May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
Reflection
David, the shepherd, warrior, king, poet, and musician, was known for how he worshipped the Lord. Most people know him as “the man after God’s own heart.” In this prayer, we see him petitioning to the Lord, that his heirs would be faithful kings – that they would love justice and righteousness the way the Lord does. Practically, this would mean ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy, and bringing blessings to all nations of the earth.
In verses 1-5, David proclaims that if God were to give His love of justice and righteousness to the king (king includes all the kings to come), he would always judge the people, especially the poor, fairly. He would defend those who have no voice and rescue those in need. In rescuing the children of the needy, this would entail putting an end to generational poverty. Those who take advantage of the poor would be crushed for their injustice and fear the Lord’s righteousness forever. Moreover, if the king’s love of justice and righteousness were equal to the Lord’s, even the barren and unfruitful places, such as the mountains and hills, would be prosperous and flourishing. Abundant prosperity and plenty for everyone.
Section 6-15 begins by describing the king’s rule like a spring ran on freshly cut grass. I don’t know about you, but that invokes a peaceful, rejuvenating, nourishing, serene type of mental state. All those who love justice and righteousness would flourish, and there would be prosperity everywhere you look. How wonderful would it be if our current leader’s rule were described like that! David is pleading for this king who rules with all his heart in pursuit of Godliness, for his reign to stretch across the world. Everyone would come under his rule, bringing him gifts and tribute, bowing before him, and serving him. Not because he won it, but because he deserves it. What a king! As far as you can go, God’s justice and mercy would thrive. This king is focused on making our world like Heaven on Earth. Everywhere he rules, the poor will be rescued, and those who are oppressed and defenseless will no longer go unnoticed. He will redeem them and deliver them from the wicked. Remember what God said to Moses, “I have heard their cries of distress, and I am aware of their suffering. So, I have come down to rescue them and to lead them to the promised land.” Long live this king!
The final section, verses 16-19, reiterates that the people of the world give praise and blessings to this king. May there be flourishing everywhere in his kingdom, and may he be remembered forever. In the final two verses, King David praises the Lord God, for only He is able to fulfill his prayer.
18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 72:18-19
David is looking ahead to when the true King, Jesus, would come and rescue His people and bring abundant life to everyone.
You don’t have to look far to see the brokenness of this world, and it makes you hope for a better place, a better way. What we truly need is a perfect King who loves justice and righteousness, who will lead us to that better place, the Kingdom of Heaven.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20
Author: Graeme Moon
Graeme Moon
Like David, my heart breaks for those who are made in the image of God, and are treated in the manner that our local homeless are. It burdens me that in the Bible belt of southern America, surrounded by churches on every corner, society decides to shun and run away from people in need instead of putting faith into practice and getting involved. I couldn’t be one of those people anymore. After getting involved, I came to realize that the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness were not what I expected. I had a terrible misconception, which led me to judge the whole for the actions of a few. Now, it is such a blessing to lift up those who have fallen.
