Lent 2018 Devotional: Day Twenty-Two

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and she saved them from their distress; she sent out her word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction." --Psalm 107:19-20

No matter what we have done, what pain we are experiencing--whether it is the result of our own actions or others' cruelty--our God hears our cries, and saves us from our distress. Salvation is not simply a future act. It is God's healing for us in the here and now, freeing us to live as whole people, connected with one another and with God.

What pain have you felt? Do you need to cry out to God today and ask for healing? Or when has God heard your cry and provided healing in the past?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Advent 2019: Day Seven

“Then Mary said, ‘ Here am I , the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” –Luke 1:38 Throughout the Bible, when God speaks a word to God’s followers, the signal that they hear and are prepared to answer the call is marked by their response: “Here am I.” When God calls on Abraham and Moses, they respond, “Here am I.” Samuel, perhaps slower on the draw, responds, “Here am I,” three times before he figures out it is the LORD who calls him. Mary’s response, marked by this same signal, shows that she is included in this line of those called by God for a purpose, and that she has the strength and faith to respond, “Here am I.” But unlike those who have come before, here a  woman  is shown answering this call. This breaking of the gender barrier signals a shift in what God is doing in the world. When Mary offers her own, “Here am I,” it is to a wholly new work: God’s own birthing into the world, taking on flesh to walk amon
Read more

Advent 2019, Day Three: What If the Annunciation Were Trans? (Part Two)

Read Part One The stranger sighed and gave her an indulgent smile. "You're gonna be a momma, Mary," they said gently. "And not just any momma. You're gonna be pregnant and grow your own little one, not just in your heart but in your belly too, and believe me when I tell you your child is going to be incredible." And with that announcement, Mary completed her journey to speechlessness. No more stammering, no half-formed protests – she couldn't even decide if she wanted to laugh or shout, let alone make a coherent sentence. As if in a dream, she found herself tilting the half-empty laundry basket so it fell on the floor, and once the couch was clear, she half-fell onto it, her eyes never leaving the stranger, who was waiting patiently all the while. "This isn't happening," she finally decided. Never mind that her pulse was so loud in her ears she could barely hear herself speak. Never mind the shaking in her limbs. Never mind the static
Read more