A Devotional Moment
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. ~ Psalm 51:17
Many people who come to faith often have lives in disarray, a spiritual emptiness and desolation that only God can fill. They disguise their emptiness, hiding depression and feelings of abandonment. Hope flickers but they do not have the strength to do anything with it. When they turn towards God, they are weak and afraid, hesitant and frail. But God doesn’t judge by how one is, he judges by what’s within the heart. One doesn’t have to be perfect and strong. God takes all who profess faith, rejoicing in reaching His creation through whatever means is needed.
In Grace Like A Whisper, the protagonist has nothing, but her faith is strong. When someone in need comes into her life, she extends the grace of God. But her compassion and mercy is misconstrued by those in control and she has to quietly fight for what is right and just. Prevailing against the norm is frightening, but her faith sustains her works.
Have you ever felt misunderstood? You did your best to help, but people rejected you anyway? It’s difficult to stand against the tide and remain faithful, but that is what we must do. God sees our hearts. He knows the truth and will get us through the storm, if we simply allow Him to do so. On the other side of that coin is the tendency to go along with the crowd simply because it’s easier to be “in” than it is to stand out—even if standing out is the right thing to do. In those instances, we have to find the courage to stand for what is right and just. If we don’t, who will?
LORD, WHEN I AM THE VICTIM OF INJUSTICE, HELP ME TO STAND FIRM IN MY FAITH, KNOWING THAT YOU SEE THE TRUTH AND WILL NOT ABANDON ME, EVEN IF EVERYONE ELSE DOES. HELP ME, ALSO, WHEN I SEE INJUSTICE. GIVE ME YOUR STRENGTH TO PROTEST AGAINST IT AND THE SKILLS TO COMBAT THE EVIL. SHELTER ME AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD DO HARM TO ME AND OTHERS. IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY, AMEN.