“Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the Lord. —Psalm 12:5 (NIV)

In December of 1999, experts predicted that computer systems all over the world might crash on New Year’s Day as the new century rolled in. We had moved to Mozambique, one of the poorest countries in the world, to do mission work.

We didn’t know what to believe or what would happen at the turn of the century, but it never hurts to be prepared, so my husband stocked up on necessities. He mounded up huge bags of rice so our family would be able to eat if the fragile Mozambican economy was devastated.

The year 2000 breezed in without a hitch, and we didn’t need the rice—not right away, at least. But later that month, the worst flooding in one hundred years hit the coast, demolishing the infrastructure of the country. The torrential rains left survivors stranded in trees and overwhelming numbers homeless and hungry. At that point, our work shifted from teaching to relief work, and the mounds of rice were given to the needy.

We had no idea whether we would need our stockpiles, but God led us to prepare for the worst. So often, God arises to care for the poor through the leading of his people. We may not know what is coming, but God does. He will arise to rescue the needy, and if we listen and follow his guidance, we might be privileged to help.

God leads us not only for our good but also for the good of others.