Today's devotion again is based from the book "Mandate to Difference" by Walter Brueggemann.
First Brueggemann wrote of the "ascent to power" in Psalm 68. Now he moves to another word in that Psalm.
It turns out that God's reign is not simply about power. It is about a relationship of caring fidelity, wherein God is in solidarity with the most vulnerable and the most needy in society, which in ancient Israel includes...orphans who lack a protector in a patriarchal society...widows who lack a male protector in a patriarchal society...prisoners who, then as now, were characteristically poor people who lacked resources or a smart lawyer.
It turns out that the one who has ascended into power is not transcendent in remoteness, is not splendid in indifference, but is deeply in touch with the reality of the earth where money and power and societal leverage and differentiation of gender, race, and class leave some dangerously exposed.
After reading "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, I am caught by the images of our God who becomes the protector of the widow and orphans. She wrote of the dangerous places women are placed in patriarchal society even in our day. It is too easy to say women and orphans do not need to worry in a society like ours, but if we simply look around we will see in the poor just such brothers and sisters and as they sit in poverty and danger, we give our resources to the powers of the day so that we can boost our machismo that we think is real power. We are blessed with a God who touches and comes close. We are invited to come as close and touch one another with just such a loving presence that risks to work for justice and the healing of our world. Yes, our God is powerful. Unfortunately, we forget to consider how this power is a power for those who are without power or status or security. It is power on behalf of. It is power that risks defeat and scorn in order to lift up the lowly. It is the power of the mother hen bringing in the vulnerable and putting herself between the powers of threat and her defenseless chicks.
Connection: We are the saints of God available and on the front lines of the moving power of compassion that can change the condition of those around us. To be in such a place and to be a witness to this serving power of God, may begin with our seeing. We begin to move for and with those in need by first taking a second look to find the ones we would usually scoot by.
O God, you touch is one that forgets no one. We are each blessed by your willingness to again empower your people to be your image in the world. We long for peace and justice and we pray that by your Spirit we will be encouraged to take the steps in our lives that press for both justice and peace and the welfare of all. Amen.
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