“The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” (Psalm 146:9); “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (Isa. 1:17).
Lord Jesus, help me, and others like me. It’s like I’m carrying a low-grade anger-fever that’s been simmering in my heart ever since Russia invaded Ukraine. It can quickly rise from 99.3 degrees to 103 with another war story and picture. It just happened again. 300 Jewish orphans had to flee their orphanage in Odessa because of nearby bombing.
Jesus, I’m like your disciples who wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy those who wouldn’t welcome you (Luke 9:54). Their passion needed to be channeled in more redemptive ways. So does mine. I am grateful you will “bring to ruin the way of the wicked,” and I own my impatience for you to do so in Ukraine, soon and very soon.
But until then and beyond, channel the rivers of my (our) anger—even hate, into the turbine of compassion and generosity. How can we best “protect foreigners, defend the oppressed, and take up the cause of orphans and widows”? We don’t want to be sentimental but strategic. We want to share the Gospel with our tears, love, deeds, and words.
Jesus, open our hearts, “holdings” and hands. How are we to engage in this ever-growing humanitarian crisis? Neighbor-love is needed. Feeding and clothing the masses is the order of the day. Healing the broken-bodied and broken-hearted will be our calling for months, perhaps years. Empower us for out-loving and out-lasting all evil. So Very Amen.