Psalm 40
I waited a long time for the Eternal;
The Eternal finally knelt down to hear me.
The Eternal listened to my weak and whispered cry.
2. The Eternal reached down and drew me
from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay.
With a gentle hand, The Eternal pulled me out
To set me down safely on a warm rock;
The Eternal held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.
All around the world we witness multiple layers of grief and pain. People are suffering one loss after another, largely due to the pandemic, and also because of systemic oppression and unrelenting power structures that have plagued nations for centuries. Some people cry out every day for relief of their pain and for hope in humanity to be restored. During times of deep distress and isolation, we turn to Psalm 40 to remind us that the Eternal One hears our cries. We are not alone in our grief. We are not alone in our desire to break free from the burdens of injustice. The divine love is always with us. As we wait patiently for our sadness to turn to gladness, let us remember that our light shines through acts of courageous love and the willingness to stand steadfast together in our commitment to justice.
Eternal One, we call upon your divine love to hear our prayers. Remember us by our name. Place our feet upon your rock so that we stand firm in our trust in you. Heal the hurt and grief we witness around the world. Help those who sit in isolation find a loving and caring community. Renew our faith in courageous acts of love for our siblings around the world.
