16 days of God's 365 (part 1)

Statistics show that one out of every four (25% of) South African women are survivors of domestic violence as per The Department of Justice estimations. According to POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) organization, 1 in every 6 women who die in Gauteng is killed by an intimate partner. I have spoken to both abuse victims and perpetrators who shared their experience with me but let me first share with you how seriously God views Abuse of women and children. Basically it is sin to neglect the abused  just as it is to abuse. We therefore must join the Government’s 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. It might be 16 days of our awareness but it is 365 days and 24/7 awareness of God watching:-

Psalm 121:4-8 NLT Indeed, He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. (5) The LORD Himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. (6) The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. (7) The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. (8) The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

What is God’s stand point in this abuse story?

1. God judges us for standing and not helping the abused as though we were the abusers.

The whole book of Obadiah is about judgement of the Edomites (Esau’s descendants) whom the Lord destroyed for not helping their relatives, the Israelites (Jacob’s descendants) when they were attacked. (Jacob and Esau were twins).

Obadiah 1:10-12 NLT "Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel, you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever. (11) When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them. Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel's enemies. (12) "You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. You should not have rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune. You should not have spoken arrogantly in that terrible time of trouble.

2. God is the protector of the weak

There are many scriptures on this one but please accept this one:-

Psalm 12:5 NLT The LORD replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for Me to do."

I believe that we should repent in time before we reach a stage of being punished by the Lord Himself. Taking advantage of the innocent or ignorant is a call for God's punishment :-

Mat 18:6 NLT But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

There has to be something worth paying attention to, that drives any child to eat dirt staying in the streets as the best option. We usually watch from the distance and judge think that they are rebellious or lazy. Be careful!

Ephesians 6:4 NLT Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

3. No evil goes unnoticed by the Lord

After Cain killed Abel, the Lord confronted Cain : Gen 4:10 NLT But the LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground!"

I learnt from many stories in the Old testament that the Lord does not usually react immediately but wait(years) later to punish the perpetrators ( e.g. Obadiah 1, 1Sam 15:2 NLT "This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.")

4. The Lord hears the prayers of the abused, Christian or not, whether they sinned, deserve it or not!

Many men who murder their partners (in newspapers) always have excuses that the woman committed infidelity… psss! I have shared with you my story when I found my girlfriend with another man but I did not act stupidly. I was disappointed but took it as "she is not worth it" and left. I even had in possession, the  men's wives numbers but I just left everything to God and not cause anybody damage. Though it required discipline and the Lord's Spirit help, abuse is no excuse!

John 8:3-5 ISV But the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. After setting her before them, (4) they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. (5) Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women to death. What do you say?"

John 8:11 ISV She said, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "I don't condemn you either. Go home, and from now on do not sin anymore."

Have you ever asked yourself ,  "where is the man who had being committing the sin with this woman and how come he’s not stoned?" The Jewish cultural law then was abusive to women and thank God for our South African law that protects our women and children even against the cultures and religious perpetrators who may use the Bible to abuse women.

Our country (SA) has the constitution with the bill of rights chapter 2 (1996) and the Domestic violence Act 116 of 1998 Godly laws to protect our people from abuse.

Romans 13:1-2 NLT Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (2) So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

We must obey these laws that resemble God’s nature and will. Our (SA) law in section 9 of the Bill of Rights in the constitution (1996) states that women are equal with men.

1Peter 3:7 NLT In the same way, you husbands must give honour to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

In these 16 days, we are encouraged to learn to report and act against any form of abuse to these women and children at the police station. Also join the community forums at your local police stations as a reservist, a member of the community who volunteers his/her services and time to support local policing efforts to fight crime. Encourage children to report bully behaviour to school authorities.

Men who need help can seek help if they are emotionally, physically or sexually abusive to their partner and/or children. Call the Stop Gender Based Violence helpline (0800 150 150).

Let me also encourage abused women to seek help because it is possible and easy to get out and live successfully. I will share more on the next offering. Many women are still unaware of their rights when reporting abuse and some are afraid of further violence from the perpetrator if they attempt legal action. There is a legal system designed to help you. There are professional experts in the caring professions like social workers, psychologists, counselors, NGO’s like POWA ( 083 765 1235). They have strategies and steps on how to get out safely. The Law/Justice department (through the court) also help you with protection order, peace officers to move safely through the process to a shelter or safe areas. The perpetrators are also arrested.

Read more about your rights: download the Domestic violence Act 116 of 1998 click here and visit POWA’s link for help (click here) or abuseisnoexcuse (click here). Also visit Unicef site (click here).