Today’s WORD (Text) Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1
18/ My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19/ Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” (Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?” 20/ “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21/ For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22/ Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 9:1/ O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!
Today’s Witness
Making time to participate in authentic lament for members of our families and communities that have died is part of a healthy life balance. A community that does not mourn and lament its dead, especially those who have died violently, or due to disasters, pandemics, and untimely events is at risk of a diminished quality of humaneness. Faith in God is not a substitute for grief. Rather, faith helps to sustain us through our grief. Today, we pause to extend condolences to all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones since the start of 2020, when Covid-19 is believed to have begun its spread globally. The grief of loved ones and family members throughout the pandemic, the extensive social unrest, violent loss of live, political turmoil at home in the U.S. and abroad, economic turndown and much more, runs deep throughout all communities. Others have died due to natural causes, and the grief felt for them is also felt very deeply. We sorrow with all those who have experienced loss at this time.
Today’s Invitation
Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish—Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish: Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.
Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, “Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot cure.
Here see the Bread of life, see waters flowing Forth from the throne of God, pure from above;
Come to the feast of love—Come ever knowing Earth has no sorrow, but heav’n can remove.
1, 2 – Thomas Moore. 3 – Thomas Hastings
Today’s Prayer
Psalm 61:1/ Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2/ From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; 3/ for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
62:1/ For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2/ He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. 3/ How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4/ Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 5/ For God alone my soul waits in silence, for m hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7/ On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8/ Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 9/ Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10/ Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if reaches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11/Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12/ and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, For you repay all according to their work.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Jeremiah 8:18 – 9:1
18/ My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick. 19/ Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” (Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?” 20/ “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” 21/ For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. 22/ Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored? 9:1/ O that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people!
Today’s Witness
Making time to participate in authentic lament for members of our families and communities that have died is part of a healthy life balance. A community that does not mourn and lament its dead, especially those who have died violently, or due to disasters, pandemics, and untimely events is at risk of a diminished quality of humaneness. Faith in God is not a substitute for grief. Rather, faith helps to sustain us through our grief. Today, we pause to extend condolences to all those who have suffered the loss of loved ones since the start of 2020, when Covid-19 is believed to have begun its spread globally. The grief of loved ones and family members throughout the pandemic, the extensive social unrest, violent loss of live, political turmoil at home in the U.S. and abroad, economic turndown and much more, runs deep throughout all communities. Others have died due to natural causes, and the grief felt for them is also felt very deeply. We sorrow with all those who have experienced loss at this time.
Today’s Invitation
Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish—Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish: Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.
Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, “Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot cure.
Here see the Bread of life, see waters flowing Forth from the throne of God, pure from above;
Come to the feast of love—Come ever knowing Earth has no sorrow, but heav’n can remove.
1, 2 – Thomas Moore. 3 – Thomas Hastings
Today’s Prayer
Psalm 61:1/ Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2/ From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; 3/ for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
62:1/ For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2/ He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. 3/ How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4/ Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. 5/ For God alone my soul waits in silence, for m hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7/ On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8/ Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. 9/ Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10/ Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if reaches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11/Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12/ and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, For you repay all according to their work.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash