Wednesday Reflection, July 7, 2021

Wednesday Reflection, July 7, 2021

A Cry for Help

Brothers and sisters, I greet you well. Today’s reflection bids us to examine a time in Israel’s history when they were destroyed by their enemies. Listed are many accounts; some prolonged, some perhaps appear incomprehensible, whilst others might have simply been devastating in more ways than one.

Jerusalem was invaded in 586 B.C. the temple was made ceremonially unclean. The practice of wrapping the deceased carefully to preserve them as well as the burying the bodies in family plots was abandoned. Instead the bodies were left exposed to the elements where they were consumed by animals. This, to an Isrealite, was an insult of the highest order.

The people were frustrated and longed for their misfortune to become that of their enemies. They were tired of being mocked and jeered and thought it fitting that God’s anger be poured out upon the babylonians in the same way they literally drained the blood from God’s people.

Psalm 79 is a lament and prayer for Israel in a sad and weakened state. In today’s watchword, the psalmist appeals, ‘ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us and provide atonement for our sins.’ Friends, God’s divine name, characterized by mercy and compassion coupled with holiness and judgement , provides the basis to cleanse or to cover. Isreal needed their sins to be cleansed.

Upon considering the enemy of our souls, I have thought about how Satan attempts to invade our thoughts, our hearts, families, homes and general lives. He seeks to bombard us with all manner of impurities in an attempt to make us unclean. Many of us have fallen, taken the bait, found ourselves in some dead situations left unwrapped and out in the elements but hear the words of John from today’s New Testament text, ‘ In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.’ 1 John 4:10.

It matters not today the troubles that trouble you, overwhelmed and frustrated though you may be, do not be afraid to cry out for help and the Lord our God still hears snd answers prayers.

Amen.

Kerone Lamoth