Great Plains Daily Devotional for 11/13/2020

Isaiah 40:27-31

Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
    and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint.

Election season is some what over, and I will admit this season felt much longer than year’s past. It felt different too, as many of us sent in mail in ballots or wore masks and socially distanced in the polling places. I worked at the polls this year and it was a reminder for myself of the importance of ensuring our voice is heard. Voting is an opportunity to care for our communities and it is a true testament of people power. Witnessing all the people who turned out to vote was inspiring to me, to see people who care about our democracy. This election was one of much anxiety and fear for all, no matter party lines. And there might be divisions in our churches regarding the outcome.

However, I found Isaiah’s word of strengthening the powerless to be true guidance for all of us as members of God’s family. While meditating on the verse I found this people power, and the strengthening of God to be one which strengthens me, strengthens thee, and strengthens we. God’s power and encouragement strengthens our own personal spirits, but the true power is found when we all can come together and live fully into the kin-dom of God. When we can work together to ensure all people are treated with the same love God shows to us through Jesus Christ.

And so, as we saw the voter turn out here in the United States, might we continue to find ways to strengthen we. To heal and to live with one another as beloved children of God.

Prayer for Reflection

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13