Daily Reading: 28 February

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Something to read

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, 'Samuel, my son.' He said, 'Here I am.' Eli said, 'What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.' So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, 'It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.'

- 1 Samuel 3:15-18.

Something to think about

In the previous verses, Samuel has been told by God of the wickedness of Eli's sons, and that Eli will be judged because he didn't control or rebuke them. Eli has cared for and taught Samuel – it's not really surprising to me that Samuel is reluctant to tell Eli what God has said.

Once Samuel speaks, though, Eli sees the justice in God's words, though they are harsh – there is sadness, hurt and reluctant acceptance in Eli's response of 'It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.'

Sometimes the world seems so full of injustice, and fighting it can put us in the way of danger, or even just of criticism and the risk of ridicule. It's hard to speak the truth, and it's so much easier to remain silent, especially when it could hurt someone we love or respect.

But not speaking out shows neither love nor respect, and does nothing for the cause of justice. It is a tough call to make, but God is there behind us all the way.

Something to do

Fighting injustice can be as small as changing how you think and how you relate to people around you, or as big as volunteering and campaigning. Look around you today, and see what is the one thing you can do to speak out and change injustice to justice.

Something to pray

Father God, sometimes we find it hard to speak – it is so much easier to remain silent. Help us to speak the truth and speak out against injustice, and to leave this place just a little kinder and fairer than we found it.

Today's contributor is Suzanne Elvidge, at time of writing Suzanne is a writer who specialises in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, technology, business and ecological issues.