“He looked down from heaven to the earth that he might hear the groans of the prisoners and free those condemned to die.”
Ps 101 (102) :19-20
Although these words of the psalmist were written long ago, they are for all time since they were inspired by God, who is faithful in all his promises. In this anniversary year of the landing on the moon, the pictures we received of the astronauts’ vision of our world from space perhaps gives us some idea of God’s vision of the world as described in the psalm. Neil Armstrong’s famous first words on stepping out onto the moon’s surface, ‘One small step for man, one giant step for mankind’ is in contrast to God’s vision of the groans of prisoners and his desire to free them. One voice, the words of a man ecstatic about a human achievement; the other,God’s words of compassion for humankind to free them from their sufferings.
God’s promise of freedom for the problems of the human race has come to fruition in the coming of Jesus, our Saviour. To follow his teaching lightens our burdens, places our trust in his word and establishes a kingdom of peace, justice, love and respect. This is our calling. What do I need to do in my life which may be a small step for me, but a giant step towards building the world that God desires.
Prayer
Prayer : ‘Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.’ (Ps 95:6)
