Deprived

Alice worked in the nursery for her church in California. A toddler needed his diaper changed and in the presence of the other workers, Alice changed it. When the child returned home the parents asked him if anyone had touched him and the child said yes and let them know it was Alice. The parents called Child Protective Services and they filed a report against Alice.  The church by policy terminated her services despite the fact there were witnesses who stated she did nothing inappropriate. Alice was never told who made the accusation and was labeled as guilty of a sexual offense against a child with no means to clear her name. So, she lost her job.  How could someone with a good heart serving the Lord get treated so poorly?

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​Meditation
Micah 2:1-3--Woe to those who dream up wickedness and prepare evil plans on their beds! At morning light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. They covet fields and seize them; they also take houses. They deprive a man of his home, a person of his inheritance. Therefore, the Lord says: I am now planning a disaster against this nation; you cannot free your necks from it. Then you will not walk so proudly because it will be an evil time.
 
I know people who: lost their inheritances and in some cases homes, were made destitute by lawsuits or exorbitant medical fees, or who were falsely imprisoned by a corrupt legal system. I have friends whose good names were ruined by spurious charges. I too have experienced the pain of false accusations and the fallout that ensued, often from the most unexpected sources. Unfortunately, people are often quick to believe lies and willfully slow to help those deprived find justice or relief.  Unfortunately, Alice is not an anomaly.
           
To be deprived is to lose something that may or may not ever be regained. God is not unaware of deprivation. Remember His Son was deprived of justice and unfairly tortured for our wrongdoing. He is not surprised by corruptly wielded power, manipulators, and those with evil agendas. We should not be either.
           
If and when we are deprived, we should never let that loss become the source of bitterness. We should not wallow in despair or let anger fuel our thoughts and emotions. That is what the Devil wants—the prince of the earth is all about depriving, defrauding, and destroying. His best work is to tear down and steal what we consider important. He wants to ruin our lives.
           
What we have or do not have on earth will rapidly pass away.  What we gain in heaven can never be taken.  So, we should focus on what we cannot see and look forward to, instead of what was taken or lost at the hands of others. God will provide what we need to make it home. To be deprived is not the end of the world. So we can agree with the Apostle Paul, “I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
 
Inspiration
“LOSS: Learning Opportunity, Stay Strong.”—Jon Gordon and Mike Smith in You Win In The Locker Room First

©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)