Celebrating God
Godly Love Among Believers
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Praise for God's Eternal Reign
Psalm 10:12-18 New International Version
12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
"He won't call me to account"?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The Lord is King forever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.
For Reflection
I
know that the theme for this week is praise. But I had a conversation
with someone who has always been kind and considerate to me. He spoke to
me about how helpless he felt and how deep his anger was. Yes, it was a
right-wing raving of blame. At mid-life, he seemed to be helplessly
betrayed by life and hopeless for a better future. His words were filled
with hate. It seemed as if all of creation was set against him.
What could I possibly say to him at that moment when he trusted me
enough to reveal how deeply disappointed he is in the outcomes of his
life? How could I comfort him? What could I say that would ease the pain
he experiences in his dark place?
Could I say I'll pray for him? What an insult!
All I could do was listen, really listen, to the point that I began to share his pain.
At that moment, I began to understand how God must feel when we cry out
in agonizing suffering. What can God do when one is imprisoned in their
deepest darkest thoughts and does not turn to God? Is it possible that
not even God can save one who does not trust in God?
I will pray for him. I will pray because I know God will not give up on
him. Somehow, God will continue to set a path for him to find peace. I
will pray that he will see God's path and find rest.
Judgment belongs to God. Compassion is ours to give, even if it is just listening silently.
Pray
Pray
for all those whose lives are restrained in darkness and hopelessness.
Pray that they will find rest in the hollow of God's hand. Pray for the
wisdom to listen and hear the suffering of others. Praise God for his
stead fast love and God's gift of our capacity to love each other.
Forward to a friend | 
