Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Exodus 6:1-8
Vs 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.
The third Monday of January is observed in USA as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Christian minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, King is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi. In his final years, he expanded his focus to include opposition towards poverty and the Vietnam War. On October 14, 1964, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance.
Martin Luther King Jr. has been seen as a prophet of his age. As a minster in the Church he recognized the God-given call to confront the society for the injustice that existed within it. Of course, it was an uphill task all the way. Segregation and injustice against people of color was tremendous. Legislation and government machinery often worked against him. He was harassed on every side. He must have encountered a crisis of faith every time he was faced with the challenge to react against injustice. But with the strength of his conviction, powerful oratory and tireless non-violent striving for justice, he lived, worked and died for the prophetic duty that God called him to.
In Exodus 6, we see Moses, who was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, going through a crisis of faith. He had reluctantly agreed to do the task that God called him to. But as the first consequence of his organizing of the Israelites, tremendous work and punishment was cruelly meted onto his people. As he stood distraught before God, God comforts him. God tells him that Moses will surely see God working for his people and against the Egyptians who seek to oppress them. God says that He, as the LORD Almighty, will free the Israelites and make them His own people. In the later portion of this chapter we see how Moses received discouraging response from both Pharoah and the Israelites when he appealed for freedom of his people. And yet with God’s constant encouragement and strength he trudged on.
People of God who are called for His tasks often go through times of discouragement when met with failure or opposition. In those instances, it is the consciousness of God’s presence, comfort and encouragement that makes his people move on and do His will. Today let us draw on God’s wisdom to realize what his will for us is. Let us draw on God’s strength and ask him to empower us to do his will even when its difficult.
Martin Luther King Jr. has been seen as a prophet of his age. As a minster in the Church he recognized the God-given call to confront the society for the injustice that existed within it. Of course, it was an uphill task all the way. Segregation and injustice against people of color was tremendous. Legislation and government machinery often worked against him. He was harassed on every side. He must have encountered a crisis of faith every time he was faced with the challenge to react against injustice. But with the strength of his conviction, powerful oratory and tireless non-violent striving for justice, he lived, worked and died for the prophetic duty that God called him to.
In Exodus 6, we see Moses, who was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, going through a crisis of faith. He had reluctantly agreed to do the task that God called him to. But as the first consequence of his organizing of the Israelites, tremendous work and punishment was cruelly meted onto his people. As he stood distraught before God, God comforts him. God tells him that Moses will surely see God working for his people and against the Egyptians who seek to oppress them. God says that He, as the LORD Almighty, will free the Israelites and make them His own people. In the later portion of this chapter we see how Moses received discouraging response from both Pharoah and the Israelites when he appealed for freedom of his people. And yet with God’s constant encouragement and strength he trudged on.
People of God who are called for His tasks often go through times of discouragement when met with failure or opposition. In those instances, it is the consciousness of God’s presence, comfort and encouragement that makes his people move on and do His will. Today let us draw on God’s wisdom to realize what his will for us is. Let us draw on God’s strength and ask him to empower us to do his will even when its difficult.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, open my eyes to see your purpose in my life. Open my heart to receive your strength to fulfill it, Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
All God’s heroes are ordinary people with faith in an extra-ordinary God.
Rev. Thomas John, Carmel MTC, Boston
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Rev. Thomas John, Carmel MTC, Boston
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church