The Lord Will Have Compassion on the Suffering Ones

This meditation is based on a passage for January 27, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Isaiah 49:13-23

Reflection and Question: Though Isaiah is preaching to people who have suffered much from Babylonian oppression, he urges his listeners to rejoice at God’s compassion for them. When the people doubt this, Isaiah gives us a memorable feminine image for God. He asks, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion to the child of her womb?” How sinful that the church has taught mothers to forsake their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children especially when God promises to do otherwise: “Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Which sufferers are left out of God’s comfort? Are there any?

Prayer: Most loving God, we embrace Your assurance that You will not forsake us even though an earthly mother might. We rely upon this. We know that those who wait for You will not be put to shame. Our trust in Your comfort strengthens us. Amen.