Thursday, March 23, 2017

Psalm 146:9 By: Pat Chambers

The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
-Psalm 146:9
One of the teachings I remember from Mr. McClair’s sixth grade Sunday School class here at LCPC was that I am to be the hands and feet of Christ here on earth.  That what I do with my hands, feet, mouth, money and time should be a reflection of my love for and faith in God.  So how does the LORD watch over the foreigner and sustain the fatherless and widow?  In one significant way He does it through you and me.    He places a call upon our hearts to welcome the stranger, to not let fear stand in our way of watching over the foreigner and sustaining the fatherless and widow.  These may seem like scary times but it is in the scary times that God gives us the opportunity to stand bolder. Just as we were once strangers to the Lord's table but were welcomed and just like we could not earn our way to the table we now invite those that are strangers to our table as well.  The Bible repeatedly shows us that God cares about those that are disempowered, just look at the scripture we are studying this Lenten season.  There may be debates about what to do for those that have been displaced or are seeking a better life, but there can be little debate that God has called us to watch over them.  
Wouldn’t it be great if we could help frustrate the wicked?  How are we the hands and feet of Christ as we work together to frustrate the wicked?  By not giving into the fear, by saying that in anyway I can, I will watch over the foreigner and sustain the fatherless and the widow.  Taking that call seriously would frustrate the wicked to no end.  Let us all act upon the things we say we believe in and make room at the table for all.  
All-embracing God, no one is a stranger to you and no one is ever far from your loving care. In your kindness, watch over refugees and exiles. For those separated from their loved ones when they fled war and conflict, re-unite them and give them protection. Inspire us to make our churches places of refuge for those in search of safety and peace. Help us to show by our words and our actions the welcome you gave to the strangers you met. We pray this, in the name of our God who unsettles and inspires us, We give our praise and thanks.
Amen. –
Prayer From the Presbyterian Church of Canada workshop Making Connections: Staying Rooted in an Uprooted World

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