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Each week, I compose, film, and edit a devotion. Most of the time, the thoughts and plans for each devotion are connected to something I’ve read, seen, experienced, or remembered. A link is made with the biblical text and the devotion is produced.

Sometimes, current events dominate these devotions. These can be good events, but some can also be deeply troubling. The events in Israel and Gaza have filled us with great sadness, uncertainty, and even anger at our ability as humans to hurt and destroy one another.

In times like these, words and video seem utterly inadequate. Silence seems the best prayer and Scripture the only perspective.

Today, hear these words from various Scriptures. May they give voice to our pain, depth to our prayer, and inspire confidence in our God.

Habakkuk 1:2-4.

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?  Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Psalm 55:1-3

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.

Luke 4:18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Romans 16:20

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Revelation 19:6-8

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

Revelation 22:20-21

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

視頻大意翻譯(video Chinese translation):

大家早。

每周，我都會停下來，從例行公事中退後一步，寫作、拍攝和編輯這些靈修短片。大多數時候，這些靈修短片的想法和計劃都與我讀過、看到或思想的東西有關。聖經經文浮現在腦海中，觀察和經文聯接並表達出來。

有時候，一些事件主宰了我們的心，填滿了我們的視野。這些可能是好的，但有些也可能令人深感不安。以色列和加薩的事件使我們充滿了悲傷、不確定，甚至對我們人類相互傷害和摧毀的能力感到憤怒。

文字和視頻似乎完全不能表達。我們如何理解這痛苦和仇恨？

正是這些時候，沉默似乎是最好的禱告，而聖經是唯一的觀點。

下面是出自聖經中不同的話語，願他們表達我們的痛苦，深入我們的祈禱，並激發我們對神的信心。

哈巴谷書1:2-4

耶和華阿、我呼求你、你不應允、要到幾時呢．我因強暴哀求你、你還不拯救。你為何使我看見罪孽．你為何看着奸惡而不理呢．毀滅和強暴在我面前．又起了爭端和相鬥的事。因此律法放鬆、公理也不顯明．惡人圍困義人．所以公理顯然顛倒。

詩篇 55:1-3

神阿、求你留心聽我的禱告．不要隱藏不聽我的懇求。求你側耳聽我、應允我．我哀歎不安、發聲唉哼．都因仇敵的聲音、惡人的欺壓．因為他們將罪孽加在我身上、發怒氣逼迫我。

路加福音 4:18-19

『主的靈在我身上、因為他用膏膏我、叫我傳福音給貧窮的人．差遣我報告被擄的得釋放、瞎眼的得看見、叫那受壓制的得自由、報告　神悅納人的禧年。』

馬太福音11:28

凡勞苦擔重擔的人、可以到我這裏來、我就使你們得安息。

約翰福音 16:33

我將這些事告訴你們、是要叫你們在我裏面有平安。在世上你們有苦難．但你們可以放心、我已經勝了世界。

羅馬書 16:20

賜平安的　神、快要將撒但踐踏在你們腳下。願我主耶穌基督的恩、常和你們同在。

啟示錄 19:6-8

我聽見好像群眾的聲音、眾水的聲音、大雷的聲音、說、哈利路亞．因為主我們的　神、全能者、作王了。我們要歡喜快樂、將榮耀歸給他．因為羔羊婚娶的時候到了、新婦也自己預備好了。就蒙恩得穿光明潔白的細麻衣、這細麻衣就是聖徒所行的義。

啟示錄 22:20-21

證明這事的說、是了．我必快來。阿們。主耶穌阿、我願你來。願主耶穌的恩惠、常與眾聖徒同在。阿們。

讓我們一起禱告。 

Grace and peace
Pastor Callum