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THOUGHT FOR TODAY-
STEALING BREAD FROM THE THIEVES
One winter's night in 1935, it is told, Fiorello LaGuardia, the irrepressible mayor of New York, showed up at a night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. That night a tattered old woman, charged with stealing a loaf of bread, was brought before him. She defended herself by saying, "My daughter's husband has deserted her. She is sick, and her children are starving."
The shopkeeper refused to drop the charges, saying, "It's a bad neighborhood, your honor, and she's got to be punished to teach other people a lesson." LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the old woman and said, "I've got to punish you; the law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail."
However, even while pronouncing sentence, LaGuardia reached into his pocket, took out a ten-dollar bill, and threw it into his hat with these famous words: "Here's the ten-dollar fine, which I now remit, and furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in the courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."
The following day, a New York newspaper reported: "Forty-seven dollars and fifty cents was turned over to a bewildered old grandmother who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren. Making forced donations were a red-faced storekeeper, seventy petty criminals, and a few New York policemen."
-- Jim Danielson, Kingsford, Missouri. Leadership, Vol. 11, no. 2.
(Psalms 21:13)
PSALM 21
If Psalm 20 is a prayer before the battle, PSALM 21 IS THE PRAISE AFTER THE VICTORY. Too often WE FORGET TO PRAISE GOD when He answers prayer and gives us what we requested. (See Luke 17:11‑19.)
GOD AND THE KING (1‑7). God gave David strength to win the battle and then gave him honor and majesty from the victory. Before the battle, David asked God to spare his life, and God gave him his request. God responded to David's faith by protecting him, and David responded to God's blessings by praising Him. David rejoiced in God's strength and salvation (v.1) and in His presence with him (v. 6).
GOD AND THE ENEMY (8‑12). These were the enemies of God because they wanted to destroy His people Israel. David fought the Lord's battles, and the Lord gave victory. God kept His promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1‑3).
GOD AND THE NATION (13). Now the whole congregation praises the Lord. Individual praise in private is important, BUT WE SHOULD SHARE THE JOY WITH OTHERS AND LET THEM PRAISE GOD WITH US. PRAISE YE THE LORD!
With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nashville
“Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.”
(Psalms 21 NIV)
LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! {2} You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. {3} You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. {4} He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-- length of days, for ever and ever. {5} Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. {6} Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. {7} For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. {8} Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. {9} At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them. {10} You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. {11} Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed; {12} for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. {13} BE EXALTED, O LORD, IN YOUR STRENGTH; WE WILL SING AND PRAISE YOUR MIGHT.
