"The Lord hears the cry of the poor....Blessed be the Lord!"
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27). Imagine how Thomas must have felt at that moment! That's how I felt on Monday, when the ceasefire was signed between Israel and Gaza. I couldn't believe that it was finally over. I didn't think it would ever happen. It seemed like a miracle.
America was going through its own share of problems on that day. We were entering the third week of a government shut down. People were working without getting paid. The health insurance of millions of people hung in the balance. I was very concerned about all of this. However, I had to take a moment to look away from it, and marvel at the beauty of the story unfolding on the other side of the world. Twenty people were reunited with their families after two years of captivity. A country ravaged by war and famine could now receive aid. Now that 12-year-old boy and his family would not have to eat sand. "I will bless his name at all times, with praise ever in my mouth, let my soul glory in the Lord, who will hear the cry of the poor!"
(From the hymn "The Cry of the Poor" - based on Psalm 34 - by John Foley). I sang that song, over and over, the words describing exactly how I felt.
I had to take a moment to feel gratitude. Though our problems in America are very serious, so far no one has had to eat sand or starve to death in a famine. That is something that we can never take for granted.
I thought about the phrase, "Give credit where credit is due." I had to admit that Trump had done something good. Biden and Clinton said the same thing. I wondered if there might even be a benefit to having something in common with the enemy. Perhaps it helps us to better understand how to negotiate with him. To be a good Christian, we have to be fair to everyone, including the people that we most dislike. We have to give them credit when they do something good. We have to be fair to them, even when they are not being fair to us. That is what gives us integrity and makes us who we are.
Having seen some evidence that there is a God and that He does care, I was certain that He also would help us.
I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame I will set a feast for them My hand will save Finest bread I will provide 'Til their hearts be satisfied I will give my life to them Whom shall I send?
Lyrics from "Here I Am, Lord" by John Michael Talbot
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