A Lament for Black Lives and Charleston’s Emanuel A.M.E. Church [blog/reflection]
O, Lord how many are our foes!
For centuries many have rose up against us; 
And still we have to convince the world that Black Lives Matter.
We cry for you O Lord to be a shield around us,
to guard us from our enemies;
But somehow, at times, your hedge of protection
seems as if it is not there.
O Lord our God, in you we take refuge;
save us from all our pursuers, and deliver us,
or like a lion they will tear us apart; [1]
Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner,
Michael Brown, Jordan Davis, Freddie Gray.
When will you deliver us from the evil of our pursuers?
Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Rev. Clementa Pinckney,
Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Dr. Daniel Simmons Sr.,
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Myra Thompson
Our eyes waste away on social media because of grief;
Are we not even safe in your house, the house of The Lord?
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people
not been restored? [2]
Though we feel defeated
We know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence. [3]
Through the fruit of The Spirit we SHALL be healed
Through love and peace we shall be healed,
Through patience and kindness we shall be healed
Through generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control we WILL be healed[4]
We have trusted [and will trust] in your steadfast love;
our hearts shall rejoice in your salvation. [5]
It was an emotional first service since the #CharlestonShooting today at Mother Emanuel AME Church – full of sorrow, abiding faith and most of all, love. Read the full story: http://bit.ly/1SB24Ja.
Posted by The Post and Courier on Sunday, June 21, 2015
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[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ps 7:1–2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Je 8:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ps 140:12–13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[4] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ga 5:22–23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ps 13:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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Mary Burrell
Jun, 25, 2015 9:23 AMI Know God is faithful I don’t understand his ways but I trust he knows what’s best. I feel the victims who perished were in Christ they are fine they are with him. What the enemy meant for evil the lord can turn it around for good.