Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

I am Mike Whitmer, and I entitled Today's reading, Who Needs Your Support?

Clifford Williams was sentenced to die for a murder he didn't commit.

From death row, he vainly filed motions to reconsider the evidence against him.

Each petition was denied for 42 years.

Then attorney Shelley Thibodeau learned of his case.

She found that not only was there no evidence to convict Williams,

but that another man had confessed to the crime. At the age of 76, Williams was finally exonerated

and released. The prophets Jeremiah and Uriah were also in deep trouble. They had told Judah that God promised to judge his people if they didn't repent.

This message angered the people and officials of Judah who sought to kill both prophets.

They succeeded with Yerai.

He fled to Egypt, but was brought back to face the king, who had him struck down with a sword.

Why didn't they kill Jeremiah? In part because Ahikam stood up for Jeremiah, and so he was not

handed over to the people to be put to death. We may not know anyone facing death, but we probably know someone who could use our support.

Whose rights are trampled, whose talents are dismissed, whose voice isn't heard. It may be risky to

step out like Thibodeau or Ahcum, but it's so right.

Who needs us to stand up for them as God guides us?

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from Jeremiah chapter 26, verses 12 through 15, and 20 through 24.

Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people,

The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.

Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.

As for me, I am in your hands. Do with me whatever you think is good and right.

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