“Weeping with those who weep requires neither political expertise nor economic influence.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 12, 2022
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15, ESV
Like the rest of the world, I have looked upon the recent events in Ukraine with a sense of horror and helplessness. The scale of the tragedy is hard to fathom and comprehend in our modern world. Though we often live under the illusion that humanity has “moved beyond” such displays of senseless violence and destruction, we are reminded once again of the impact of sin’s sickness upon our frail and broken world.
In moments such as these, there are countless responses that such crises elicit from us. We may be drawn into the political drama and need for international diplomacy. We may anxiously keep our eyes on the economic impact and the instability of the markets in times of war. Or, we may simply seek to ignore the moment at hand, seeing it as distant and largely irrelevant to our day to day lives, a concern for some, but not for us.
When faced with such multifaceted and complex situations, our personal ability to enact change is remarkably limited. Though I can read about it all day long, I am personally unable to impact economic policy or order troops to retreat. Yet I am able to reject indifference and open my heart to the suffering of innocent people.
Henri Nouwen once said, “I am beginning to see that much of praying is grieving.” We are invited daily to have eyes to see the world as it is, in both its beauty and its pain, and to then spend intentional time in God’s presence with the world on our hearts. We may not have even the faintest idea of how to resolve the pain and conflict that we see, yet we do not come to Christ with ready-made solutions, but with questions and tears. Weeping with those who weep requires neither political expertise nor economic influence. The invitation before us is simply to expand the capacity of our hearts, making room for the pain and suffering of others, welcoming and inviting their sorrow into our hearts so that we carry it with us when we offer the whole of ourselves to the Lord in prayer.
Whether in Ukraine or in the home next door to you, there is human pain and suffering to be found. Let us together have eyes to see it, alleviate it as we are able, and when we are out of answers, commit ourselves to lives of prayer, weeping daily with those who weep.
Prayer
Father, I choose today to open my heart to the pain of others, offering it to you through tears, believing that you will hear and heal, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Who is weeping today that needs you to weep alongside them?
Related Reading
Job 2:11; Colossians 4:18; Hebrews 13:3
Worship Resource
Hillsong UNITED: So Will I (100 Billion X)
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
