Thoughts for the Day

A Psalm of Asaph.

God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgement:
‘How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk around in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Rise up, O God, judge the earth;
for all the nations belong to you!

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Our world seems to be disintegrating into territorial disputes. No-one seems interested in mediation, they would rather accuse the other side of being in the wrong, and get their attack in first, whether this is verbal or physical. Social media frenzies now occurs after any rumour is posted, and angry crowds play to their bigoted ideas, whether there was any truth in the original event or not. The subsequent riots in whichever country this occurs, see the police forced to try and keep the peace, as cars get destroyed and families huddle in fear behind their smashed windows.

Internationally leaders often seem to speak or write before thinking, make unfair and unjust claims and often inflaming the situation. Many decline peace talks but resort to weaponry using any missiles they possess against historical enemies. As well as killing more innocent people this merely sets an example to the little bullies that exist in every community.

Psalm 82, written by the leader of a Temple choir, has some wise words to say. He imagines Almighty God calling a council composed of those who are responsible for our world. He calls them 'gods', but perhaps today they can be governors, presidents, or local leaders. He accuses them of ruling unjustly, supporting the wicked, instead of the poor, and in a wonderful phrase he says "They have neither knowledge nor understanding," but "they walk around in darkness".

Asaph closes by calling on God, who is Judge of all, to come and judge the nations. Can we say, "Maranatha!" May He come, and in His wake to spread healing across His world.

* Maranatha is Aramaic, meaning 'Come, Lord'.

Almighty God,
You know our innermost thoughts,
and the times we are angry,
and cause situations to exacerbate.
Forgive us our frailties
and strengthen us to help spread peace.
We pray for our leaders across the world
asking that they rule justly and with fairness,
and we especially pray for all involved in mediation
whether in our family, community, or the world.
Amen.