…And Let It Begin with Me

 

Psalm 38:9 (NRSVue) - O Lord, all my longing is known to you; my sighing is not hidden from you.

In Psalm 38, a penitent psalmist prays for healing.

But individuals are not the only ones in need of healing.

Today’s headlines reveal just how much the world needs this.

The fifth chapter of 1 John includes a testimony about the Son of God.

Moreover, it includes a promise.

1 John 5:14 (NRSVue) - And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

These verses coupled with the time of year put me in mind of a carol.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day was originally a poem written by Longfellow in 1863.

In time, it was set to music.

As we see the state of the world, the psalmists longing is akin to ours

They are reflected in Longfellow’s lines…

And in despair I bowed my head;

"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Similarly, John’s words remind us that God hears and answers our prayers.

You can see that connection in Longfellow’s next lines…

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men."

God knows our longing.

Even our longing for peace in a world long accustomed to conflict.

God can heal individuals.

God can heal nations.

Indeed, He can heal the world.

Where world leaders, diplomats and generals fail, God can succeed.

God created this world.

He sent His Son into this world to redeem it.

And, with the help of the Holy Spirit, each of us can make our concerns known to God in prayer.

All of which reminds me of lines from another song we cherish this time of year...

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

 

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, January 5, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, January 12, 2024