Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Isaiah 1: 16, 17 NASB
Awaken the dawn.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Our glory flag waves with purpose.
Freedom comes with a cost and responsibility.
We cannot remain silent.
God is love. He sacrificed His only begotten Son.
Jesus was crucified so that the captives may be set free, the hearts and voices of the oppressed restored, and the gospel proclaimed to all nations. Jesus spoke against injustice; He defended the weak and vulnerable, the widow, orphan, outcast, and stranger. Our beliefs and response matter. We cannot say we abide in Christ, and yet hate our brothers and sisters. Revival begins with us.
Long before there was a “Me too!” movement, I was a desperate cry in a parched land. I was deemed “emotional” and shamed for my passion. As if only sexually abused women shed tears. Still, I rose against the tide of violence in our homes, churches, and communities and spoke out.
Like many, my soul is bruised again this week. I am outraged. Heartbroken. Traumatized. Breathless. Numb. Speechless. Words seem inadequate. But this I know . . . God is love.
And perfect love casts out fear.
When injustice also rears its ugly head with a snarly comment, silent dismissal, or clamped boot, I am determined to interrupt, rebuke, and re-frame the lies of hate and discrimination with Truth. I will focus on what is pure, lovely, right, just, and honorable and choose excellence. Love does not require me to embrace every world view and movement. But it does require that I see others through the lens of Christ. He values life and grants forgiveness and dignity to sinners. And I am the least of these.
Awaken the dawn. Change starts when we admit our own hurtful and destructive thoughts. The broken ones bow in humility. We repent and turn from our wicked ways. Wash and cleanse. Likewise, we choose forgiveness and holiness.
We must learn to do good. Put it into practice.
Seek justice and correct oppression.
Defend the powerless.
God is love. He gives breath to His people. He alone is able to heal our land and disease. Justice will be established in the earth.
Lord, we wait on you. We pray for your mercy and courage to be different. Unify your people. May our love for you and others be a flicker of hope to all who are suffering.
Lily Mae
A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.
Isaiah 42: 3, 4 NASB
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