The Tribune

By Rev. Angela Palacious

This is the promise that God makes in Psalm 72:12-14 (NIV): For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. How does God do this? How will God make it happen this year?

There is always the possibility of a miracle. God can cause to be what does not exist. God can speak and it is done. The story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, offers hope to those who are waiting for a prayer to be answered. Sometimes we need to let the desire die, but other times, as in Hannah’s case, we may receive a word of encouragement to keep our faith strong.

Very often, we are required to be the solution to someone else’s problem. We are called to follow God’s directives and become the deliverer of the needy and the afflicted. We are to bring the help that is so badly needed.

When it comes to oppression and violence, God calls us to offer salvation as the way to calm the raging sea of negative emotions. It is through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that persons are able to learn how to love God, others and themselves. The transforming moment becomes a life of recovery and restoration. Hate cannot eliminate hatred and bitterness. Only love changes lives forever. If spiritual alienation is one of the sources of our national dilemma, then we have to be more enthusiastic about witnessing to the saving power of Jesus and the necessity for the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

If we believe that poverty is a part of the problem, then let us engage in acts of kindness to bring immediate relief, and work to improve educational levels, job opportunities, and attitudes to work that will build an efficient and effective labour force.

If poor parenting is another scourge, then we all have to become involved in the nurture and care of our nation’s children. As we journey with their families, we establish closer ties and are better able to understand the issues facing many people. The more we learn, the more we can work to effect societal change at every level.

If materialism and greed have perverted us and diverted us away from contentment with and gratitude for what we do have, then let us promote free family fun, let us refuse to have bigger and better because we can afford it if what we have is quite satisfactory. Let us channel those funds into raising the standard of living for someone else. Much of this is really up to us.