Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14–20
“On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” (Zeph. 3:16–18)
I have signed petitions, called public officials, sent money, and prayed for justice and peace. I have contributed to causes to end the violence in Sudan, rapes in the Congo, and war in many places.
But genocide continues, little girls are unprotected, and soldiers remain abroad. For peacemakers, the road is hard, we get weary, and our efforts seem to be in vain as we try to work with our churches, communities, and government to bring forth change.
The prophet Zephaniah reminds us that we should not fear and we should not grow weary. We are called to remain steadfast in our faith, to not let our hands grow weak, to stay strong and to persevere.
We can rejoice that God is with us, renewing us in God’s love. We can rejoice in knowing that as we toil in war-torn fields of hate, injustice, violence, and abuse, God strengthens us daily to sow seeds of peace, aid, and love. We can make the calls, sign the petitions, and advocate for justice, knowing that we are not alone.
Prayer
Loving God, who gives the victory for justice and peace, strengthen and renew us daily so that we may continue in the struggle for wholeness and well-being, security and sustenance for all your children. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Rev. Bridgett A. Green
doctoral candidate in New Testament and early Christianity at Vanderbilt University
member, Presbytery of Charlotte
Order Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace.