As followers of Jesus, we can’t help but hear these words, written by the prophet to Israel centuries before Jesus was born, as a reference to him, his mission, and his experience. God equipped Jesus’ tongue with words to sustain the weary. God gave him an ear to pay attention to the people around him – to those who were in need, to those who desperately needed to share their story, to those whose voices were taken away or ignored. God gave him the fortitude to stand strong in the face of fear, opposition, and abuse.
In what ways has God equipped you to sustain the weary? Is it with the gift of words, of hospitality, of music, of generosity, of openness? In what ways does God open your ears each day to the needs and lived experience of others? How responsive are you to what you see and hear each day? Are you more inclined to act on behalf of the weary or to ignore it?
In prayer, commit yourself to using your tongue today to offer hope and give grace.
