Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“[The LORD] raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, January 9, 2020
by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff
I can’t help but think of Cinderella when I read this passage. That’s probably sacrilegious, but go with me on this. Here’s a poor, oppressed girl literally sleeping in the ash heap by the fire who is transformed into a stunning princess to the shame of all who abused her.
Of course, God is no fairy godmother, waving a magic wand and fulfilling wishes. God is a God of justice. Those sleeping on ash heaps in our world are there because we put them there, in our direct or indirect support of oppressive economic and political systems. When the prophet points to the realities of this situation, we ought to be ashamed of our complicity. Because God loves those who are oppressed above all, and holds them in the same esteem as the world holds princes.
This is made most clear in the person of Jesus, who was himself poor, and held himself a servant to all. Yet he was God, above all and in all and all-in-all. Thus any time we are confronted with those “on the ash heap,” we must see Jesus, and work to lift them up.
Gracious God, inspire me to lift up all those our society tries to keep down. Amen.
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