Excerpt from Psalm 69

"Even my own brothers pretend they don't know me!  My zeal for God and his work burns hot within me.  And because I advocate your cause, your enemies insult me even as they insult you." (Living Bible)

Reflection by Kenneth L Samuel

A friend of mine who attended the Law School at Emory University told me about an experience he had in one of his classes. My friend was the only African American in the class. He had studied diligently, completed all the assignments, and mastered the subject matter. On the last day of class, the instructor gave him special words of congratulation.  In a class of some fifty students, he had achieved the highest test score average and written the best final paper.

Several of his colleagues came to congratulate him after class. Upon leaving the classroom, however, he was met by one of them who said, "I would have joined the others who congratulated you in class, but to do so would have required me to challenge the thinking of my grandmother. You see, my grandmother has always told me that black people are superb in the entertainment and sports arenas, but when it comes to intellectual capacity and cognitive skill, blacks are most definitely inferior to whites and Asians."

There are many people who are unable to fully embrace enlightened truth and equality because they are beholden to loved ones who refuse to let go of prejudices. And in many cases, even progressive religious affiliation is not enough to break such bonds steeped in the various "isms" and "phobias."  But the Psalmist speaks to us about a zeal, a passion, a compulsion for God and for truth and for justice that drives us to challenge all bigotry—even the bigotry that is personified in those who are nearest and dearest to us.

It's one thing to challenge injustice out there in the world.  But when the injustice is manifested in our own family; when prejudice is as close as our own dear friends; when phobias dominate the mentality of our own fraternities, sororities and civic organizations; or even when our religious fellowships attempt to sanctify discrimination, do we possess enough zeal for God to make a godly difference?

Prayer

"I told Jesus, it would be all right if he changed my name
I told Jesus, it would be all right if he changed my name
He said chile, Your Momma won't know you, if I changed your name
He said chile, Your Papa won't own you if I changed your name
I've been buked and I've been scorned
I've been talked about, sure as you're born, 
But I told Jesus, it would be all right if he changed my name."  Amen.

About the Author Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

The Daily Devotional is now on Facebook. Become a fan!

Sign up to receive Daily Devotionals

More items written by the Stillspeaking Writers' Group