August 18: God is in Ferguson

Esther 1:1-3:15

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Psalm 35:17-28

Proverbs 21:19-20

Most, if not all who read this, will likely have heard of a small town, one they might not have known existed before a week or so ago.  That town is Ferguson, Missouri.  And given all that's gone on the last week or so, some may wonder if God is in Ferguson.

I will not delve into the incident that has sparked so much controversy and so much turmoil.  But I when I read about Mr. Mumtaz Lalani, who on Sunday night had a live feed that allowed him to watch rioters loot and destroy his store, as I followed the story of a man who had nothing to do with what caused the riots and how he watched the fruit of his long, hard labor go up in smoke, wondering, doubting whether or not he could recover, I was struck by the appropriateness of today's psalm:

How long, Lord, will you look on?

     Rescue me from their ravages,

     my precious life from these lions...

...Do not let those gloat over me

     who are my enemies without cause;

Do not let those who hate me without reason 

     maliciously wink the eye

It is amazing to me how, centuries ago, God already had the prayer for Mr. Lalani, the prayer for any of us who feels they have been wronged, grievously, unjustly.  It is amazing that we can call on the God who created the universe, who set all of it in motion, and whose will sustains its existence - on that God, we can call on, to "contend for me" and "vindicate me in Your righteousness".  In times of injustice and hopelessness, may I - may we - never forget the power and dominion of the God we serve.  Because in times of hopelessness and victimization, He is there - yes, even in Ferguson.