Nelson Mandela
Good Morning Friends,
There is a great complexity and difficulty in working for justice. Yesterday a man of character died. Oh I am sure he was a sinner too but when it counted he humbly did some amazing things. In the next few days you will see it played out in the media as his life is remembered. You will see the headlines and hear if you have not already how God used a game to help heal a nation. How a stadium sang in unity…how the entire white Rugby team was so moved by one man’s support that they showed up in their coats and ties to crowd into cell where this man was imprisoned for 27 years by the racist policies of their country. You will hear of the stories of his interview on Oprah and of 12 million students singing happy birthday to him. Friends, the work is not done but the world is a bit better for having experienced a parable of God’s grace in the life of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.
Scripture: I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted. Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt. Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!” But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
Psalm 40 (NRSV)
Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:6-10 (NRSV)
Message: David and Isaiah knew about depression and they knew the way up and out of it as well. David used music and writing about God to help. In today’s psalm we see how the Lord helps us from the pits to higher levels of praise. Isaiah used a ministry of justice. In ministry with those in prison I have discovered and witnessed the testimony of others who have experienced real relationships with Christ on the journey. Isaiah captured the challenge and benefit of working for social justice. I imagine that Nelson Mandela could have related to this for here God specializes in things thought impossible…Here God helps us sing a new song and old songs sung in new ways. He helps us to feel encouraged despite discouraging circumstances. When we concentrate on the aspects of God, both His judgment and love, we can be transformed in our mind to see the bright spots in every dark situation… for as a man thinks within himself so he becomes. Here we learn that despite hardships God’s grace is sufficient…that there is always an abundant supply of encouragement in Christ. The life of Mandela witnesses it. Friends, all of us have story material–opportunities every day to tell parables of the kingdom of God. Of course, some of us have a larger audience than others. The life of Nelson Mandela, former prisoner turned president of South Africa was one little light that still shines very bright.
Pray that we are brave. Pray we demonstrate the truth of God’s love, justice, mercy, and grace. Pray we not give into the temptation of discouragement. Pray that God’s presence always assure us. Pray that the spirit of truth be in us and that this spirit never be broken. Pray that God not test us beyond our limits. Pray that we be content with what we have in every situation. Pray that we are patient but persistent in getting up and out of the pit in gaining a firm footing on Christ the solid rock.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Daily Devotionals 