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Where does my help come from?

I have to stop to think about that.

This past Sunday, Lumumba proclaimed Psalm 121 in the midst of a world in pain and a population trying to process all that has happened. On top of a pandemic, demonstrations of all kinds have erupted all over the world as the evil of racism overtook our collective focus.

Where does my help come from?

The psalmist admitted he had to lift his eyes to receive the answer. I can look in the mirror to review my own behavior and thoughts but for the people of God, there is no real hope without the involvement of Jesus. He is not only the author of our faith, He is the maker of Heaven and Earth! He has a depth of understanding as to what is wrong in this world that makes my attempt at contemplation seem like a newborn trying to fathom the complexity of the universe. 

I keep hearing people preach about the importance of looking "deep within ourselves" and "tap into your basic human morality" but that is not what the Bible would have me do. I must humble myself to the point that I know this issue cannot be fixed by human beings. Why? We caused the problem! Without the work of God, we are doomed to perpetually think one kind of human is better than the other. How astounding is the fact that the Christ calls ALL nations unto Himself?! Ask a history book.

Where does my help come from?

The One who paid the price for redemption. Not the price for one act of injustice, not the price for my personal sins, not the price for one generation, nor the price for one people, but the price for all humankind rebelling against the eternal God so that the demand has been met once, for all. This does not simply result in a clean slate nor does it erase our individuality but it provides a way for our relationship with God to be restored and our relationship with each other to be transformed as sons and daughters of God. This help creates a community that is gathered together in a way that is greater than a people group, stronger even than a nation...we become a family.

That kind of help is not possible without God.

Lord, help us.

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