Day 6

Healing

READ

Psalm 103 (NIV)

REFLECT

In Psalm 103, David provides a list of life situations that, at one time or another, the average person may experience as a natural part of life. Sickness and death, feelings of loneliness and depression, and/or a general sense of not having enough or being enough are a few examples of the realities of life. When we consider these things as inevitable experiences of the human condition, one might feel justified to complain, wallow in self-pity, doubt the goodness of God, or even raise a defiant fist up at God and blame Him for all the harsh realities of life.

Yet, David offers another way of responding to the complexities of life. As we often see in throughout scriptures, David finds joy in shifting his focus amidst pain to praise. No less than seven times in this passage of Scripture does David tells us to “Praise the Lord,” and this is why: God forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, shows us love and compassion, satisfies our desires and gives righteousness and justice—and so much more.

There is no question that the experience of human trafficking and the trauma it inflicts on countless men, women and children should not be part of our human existence. And so, we stand alongside God through our prayer and activism for those who have experienced the harsh realities of human trafficking and the resulting trauma it inflicts, with the call to fight for justice, to call out unjust systems and oppressive structures, and to join as allies alongside those who have experienced trafficking to bring hope and healing for future generations. We trust that God, in His great mercy and love, desires to bind up the wounds and bring complete healing to those who are or have been victims of human trafficking.

RESPOND

We must respond by addressing the needs of someone who has experienced human trafficking by finding ways to comprehensively provide support, and to come alongside survivors as allies, not just meeting their basic needs, but supporting them as a whole person. In Chicago, Hope Strong is working to engage survivors through intensive case management and by providing a drop-in space operated by the STOP-IT Program, as well as Pathway of Hope. These programs both prevent and respond to trafficking.

RECEIVE

Gracious and merciful Heavenly Father, we praise you today for all the ways in which you reach out to those touched by the evil of human trafficking with compassion, concern and healing. Your Word reminds us to put our trust in You for You do care and You are able to do far more than we can ever imagine to restore that which has been broken. Oh Father, keep fresh in our minds the reality that when trouble comes our way, we have a loving and merciful Father that we can look to for help and healing. Help us, Oh Father, to always remember to praise You in all circumstances, for in doing so, our healing will come.