But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”
1 Samuel 1:15-17
LORD, I live in troubling times. In a world where righteousness is an afterthought, where politicians are guided by the desire to please a constituency and those sworn to uphold the peace are moved by feelings and sentiments, in a world where what makes us different is highlighted over that which makes us the same, my soul is heavy, especially on this day, set apart to remember the work of Your servant and his call to to us to demonstrate Christlikeness. Many have been pouring out their souls asking for You to show up and right the wrongs that have been imposed on the disenfranchised. Yet, when I see how the crisis at the border is being handled, where women, men and children in distress are being viewed as invaders, where my brothers and sisters in Christ themselves lack compassion for them, preferring heavy-handed enforcement over grace filled love, I must confess, I am sickened. What’s more, racial tensions continue to rise, with fear mongering the norm rather than the exception, with Christians shying away from issues of justice and righteousness, labeling them with an innocuous term, “CRT,” giving themselves a pass on dealing with what has been endemic to our culture and society. There is a rising idolatry in the land, placing our country and its Constitution in a place of highest honor, viewing it in all of its flaws as almost gospel truth, viewing this country as the last bastion of Christian freedom. Yet, in the name of “law and order” I see Your children showing more compassion for the unborn than for the born. My heart today bleeds for this nation, but more so for those of us who call ourselves Christians. Our testimony is being harmed by our lack of genuine love. Our witness is being tainted by our actions and commitments. Oh, that You would come in and change our hearts! Open our eyes to how we are being viewed by those who do not know You, who are listening to our words and assessing at our actions. Remind us today that it is not just what we say but what we do that shows that we are Christians, it is the fruit of our lives. And not just with those within our immediate sphere of influence, but especially with those who are beyond our reach! Your words ring true in my heart this morning, “…as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” May Your church be found to have lifted up the least of these and shown them Your grace and mercy in their times of sorrow. Grant this, my petition today, to Your glory. Amen.