Homelessness

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. Psalm 107: 4-9 NRSV

For those of us reading this devotional, we probably don't have a personal experience with being homeless. I remember one time going with my family and our church to feed a group of homeless people under the expressway downtown. My son was about 3 years old. On the way home, we talked about why all those people were there and the fact that they were homeless. "Well, we need to get them a home," he wisely said in response.

The psalmist speaks of those wandering in desert wastes, unable to find a town, being both hungry and thirsty. Perhaps we are to take this figuratively and think about when we have been desert wanderers in our lives. Or maybe the imagery harks back to the people of Israel wandering in the desert. But I like to think more of a literal meaning: homelessness.

In each case, it is God who gives direction. God provides a way out of the desert - whether real or figurative. God provides shelter, food and drink. Maybe God's face looks like the volunteer from the shelter - but it is God's face all the same.

Thank you, God, that you provide the way out of the desert. Thank you that we can be your instruments and your hands. Thank you that we can be grateful for all the good things your provide in our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Name one thing you are thankful for in this moment.

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims