Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Remnant

Zephaniah  3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34 The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor; Matthew 21:28-32


Zephaniah speaks today of a remnant: 

"For then I will remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain,  But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel." 

What is a remnant?

A remnant is a surviving trace; a small minority that remains steadfast. 

In this year of economic upheavals and down falls, layoffs and bankruptcy, foreclosures and the like, many people find themselves searching once again.  They are searching for truth, searching for stability, searching for home, searching for something to hold on to.  

The remnant are those who do not give in to the despair of the times and trust in the sure footing of God as he continues to guide us through. 

We are called to take refuge in his Name and allow his strength to be ours. The upheavals and the downfalls keeps us humble and lowly and thus we remain open to God's every present and guiding hand. 

Excerpt from the Imitation of Christ
"God protects and frees a humble man; he loves and consoles a humble man; he favors a humble man; he showers him with graces; then, after his suffering, God raises him up to glory.  He reveals his secrets to a humble man and in his kindness invitingly draws that man to himself."


 

No comments: