Go! And… Speak Up for those who cannot speak for themselves - Proverbs 31:8
Introduction: A Call to Courageous Compassion
There are moments when silence is not golden—it is deadly.
Moments when looking the other way is not grace—it is neglect.
Moments when God calls His people not to remain silent, but to speak up—to become His voice of truth, justice, and compassion in a broken world.
Today, on Safeguarding Sunday, we turn to a powerful command from God’s Word:
Proverbs 31:8 (NLT): “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”
This is not a gentle suggestion—it is a divine command.
It is God calling His people to stand in the gap for the vulnerable, to act with courage, to love with compassion, and to reflect the heart of Jesus Christ—the One who defended the weak, healed the broken, and gave His life to redeem the lost.
Let’s explore together what this verse means for us today—how we can go and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and how doing so reflects the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. The Call to Speak Up: Understanding God’s Heart for the Vulnerable
Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT): “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
These words come from the wise sayings attributed to King Lemuel, taught to him by his mother. This is a mother’s prophetic instruction to her son—a ruler—to lead with righteousness and act with compassion.
The Hebrew phrase for “speak up” is peta? pî?a (?????????????), literally meaning “open your mouth.”
It’s not passive; it’s active. It’s a command to break silence. To stand against injustice. To open your mouth when others close theirs.
In God’s eyes, silence in the face of suffering is sin. The call to speak up is a call to act—to intervene, to defend, to protect.
Isaiah 1:17 (NLT): “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”
The Prophet Isaiah echoes the same command centuries later. God’s people are not to be spectators of suffering—they are to be participants in justice.
To “seek justice” (darash mishpat in Hebrew) means to actively pursue righteousness in society, especially for those who are vulnerable.
John Piper once said, “Doing justice means treating people in a way that reflects the infinite worth of God.”
When we defend the weak, we reflect the God who created them in His image.
When we speak up for those who are silenced by fear or pain, we echo the heart of our Saviour who spoke up for us when we were lost in sin.
The Lighthouse Keeper
There was once a lighthouse keeper who was given enough oil for one month. He kept the lamp burning to warn ships of the rocks.
During the month, villagers came asking for oil—for their homes, their lamps, and their needs. He compassionately shared it until the oil ran out.
That night, several ships were wrecked, and many lives were lost.
When the keeper was confronted, he said, “I was trying to be kind.”
The reply came: “You were appointed to keep the light burning.”
Church, we are appointed to keep the light burning—to safeguard, protect, and shine the light of Christ in a dark world.
2. The Example of Christ: The Defender of the Weak
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus stood with those who were ignored, despised, and vulnerable.
Luke 4:18–19 (NLT): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.”
Jesus declared His mission at the start of His ministry: to bring freedom, healing, and restoration.
In Greek, the word for “oppressed” (thrauo) literally means “to be broken into pieces.”
Jesus came for the broken ones—and every act of safeguarding, every step to protect a vulnerable life, echoes His ministry of restoration.
As Charles Stanley once said, “Obedience always brings blessing because it aligns us with the heart of God.”
When we obey the call to safeguard the vulnerable, we align with the very heartbeat of our Saviour. We become the hands and feet of Jesus.
3. The Responsibility of the Church: Reflecting God’s Character
The Church is called to be a safe place—a refuge for the hurting, a sanctuary for the weary, a family for the forgotten.
James 1:27 (NLT): “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
James reminds us that true religion is not performance—it is protection.
The Greek word for “care” (episkeptomai) means to visit with compassion and responsibility. It’s not about sympathy from a distance; it’s about presence, involvement, and love in action.
Max Lucado wrote, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
And to be like Jesus means to love as He loved—to protect, defend, and restore.
The Umbrella of Protection
Think of safeguarding like holding an umbrella over someone in the rain.
You might not be able to stop the storm, but you can shelter someone from being soaked.
That’s what we do when we create safe environments for children, the elderly, the abused, the vulnerable—we hold out the umbrella of Christ’s love in the storm of a broken world.
4. The Hope of the Gospel: Jesus, Our True Refuge
Our motivation for safeguarding isn’t merely moral—it’s Gospel-centred.
We protect the vulnerable because Christ protected us first.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT): “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Jesus is the ultimate Safeguard—the eternal Refuge.
When we were vulnerable in sin, He became our Defender.
When we were powerless, He became our Saviour.
When we were spiritually dead, He gave us life.
At the cross, Jesus took upon Himself our guilt, shame, and brokenness. He died in our place, rose from the dead, and now offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him.
Tim Keller once said, “The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
That is our hope. That is our message.
The safest place any person can be is in the arms of Jesus.
5. The Call to Action: Be a Voice, Be a Light, Be a Witness
Safeguarding is not just a policy—it’s a principle of the Kingdom.
It’s how we love God and love our neighbour.
It’s how we live the Gospel in action.
Micah 6:8 (NLT): “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
To “do what is right” (asah mishpat) is to act justly in the world.
To “love mercy” (ahav chesed) is to reflect God’s loyal, covenant love.
To “walk humbly” (hatsnea leketh) is to live with daily dependence on God.
R.T. Kendall once said, “It costs to do God’s will, but it costs more not to.”
Church, it may cost courage, time, and effort to safeguard others—but the cost of silence is far greater.
We cannot be indifferent. We must speak up, stand up, and step out in faith.
A Gospel Appeal:
Perhaps today, you realise that you are the one who needs protection—spiritually, emotionally, or physically.
Perhaps you feel broken, unseen, or unworthy.
Hear this: Jesus Christ sees you. He knows your name. He died for you.
He went to the cross so that your sins could be forgiven and your soul could be made whole.
He rose again to give you life eternal and to make you a new creation.
Repent of your sin. Turn away from darkness.
Trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Find your refuge, your identity, your purpose in Him.
Conclusion: Go and Speak Up
The Church of Jesus Christ must be a voice for the voiceless, a refuge for the weary, and a light in the darkness.
Let us be people who speak up with courage, act with compassion, and love with conviction.
Let us be a church that reflects the heart of Jesus—the One who said, “Let the little children come to me.”
Benediction:
“May the Lord fill you with His compassion, guide you with His wisdom, and empower you by His Spirit to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Go in the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, your refuge and redeemer, and shine His light in a dark world. Amen.”
