Daily Reading: 22 June

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Courage

Something to read

Then David ran and stood over the Philistine; he grasped his sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him; then he cut off his head with it.

- 1 Samuel 17:51 from full reading 1 Samuel 17:50-58 .

Something to think about

I’m sure that you were probably discomforted by today’s passage. Of course, we live in an entirely different kind of age than the one the Israelites and Philistines inhabited.

Yet, conflict or war is often a confounding factor in the work of Christian Aid’s partners. Innocent people are often frightened and maltreated by warring factions. And Israelites were frightened of the Philistines. David’s victory provided the motivation for them to be courageous.

It might seem like a minor, but it was a major victory. Likewise, given the constant attention that Jesus Christ (of whom David is a pre-figure) gives toward poor and marginalised people, we can also derive our courage to go on in the cause against poverty.  

Something to do

Find out about Christian Aid partners's work helping communities move from violence to peace. Can you share a link on Twitter or Facebook to raise awareness of that situation?

Something to pray

Lord God,
thank you that I do not have to take up arms
to contribute to the fight against poverty.
Help me to courageously give, act and pray
for my global neighbours,
since they are not my enemies
but my fellow citizens of this world
that you’ve given us to enjoy and protect.
Grant peace to war-torn places,
so that there might be an enjoyment of life
rather than a destruction of it.
Amen.

Today’s contributor is Moses Tumukunde Tutesigensi, who was training to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church of Wales at time of writing. He has been a keen supporter of Christian Aid for a number of years including as an intern in the Wales team.