The Daily Devotional
Friday, February 7, 2025
Journeys of Faith: A Reflection on Deportation
By the rivers of Babylon—there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our harps. For there our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1-4)
Introduction
The moving words of Psalm 137 express the profound grief and dislocation experienced by the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. This passage vividly captures the emotional and spiritual turmoil of being uprooted and forced into a foreign land.
Reflection
Like the Israelites by the rivers of Babylon, many today are experiencing the pain of deportation and the uncertainty of exile. Last week, the sight of two large Air Force cargo planes at the El Paso airport starkly reminded me of the ongoing struggles faced by immigrants. These planes, often symbols of power and aid, were instead on a mission to transport people back to South America, as reported by the military newspaper Stars and Strips.
This modern-day deportation echoes the ancient cries of the Israelites, revealing a universal theme of displacement throughout human history. As Christians, we are called to empathize and recognize the face of God in each person's journey, regardless of the circumstances that surround their displacement.
Application
How do we respond as followers of Christ to the plight of the deported? We are invited to advocate for humane policies and offer compassionate support to those affected. Whether it’s through prayer, community support, or political activism, our actions can embody the love and justice of God.
Conclusion
The lament of the exiles in Babylon challenges us to consider our role in addressing the pains of deportation in our time. It compels us to remember that throughout history, God’s people have often found themselves in lands not their own. And yet, the call to live out the commandments of love and justice remains unchanged.
Prayer
Dear Lord, comfort those who are far from their homes and feel the pain of separation today. Strengthen us, your church, to be instruments of your peace and advocates for the displaced. Guide us in your ways, that we may sing your song of hope and restoration, even in the most challenging circumstances. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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