Our Refugee Brethren – Continuously Remembering their Condition, Taking Prayerful Action to Free them
God reveals in scripture Nehemiah’s tears and grief, his continued prayers for help, and committed action, when informed of the distressing condition of his brethren and city of Jerusalem .
Our brethren are dwelling in refugee camps under conditions that we would not want for ourselves. There is shortage of food, and terrible diseases are a continuous threat, our sisters and young children exposed to any kind of horrible abuse, the young adults living in the corrupt environment which these conditions breed. Day by day this is their life, with parents grieving at their inability to provide for their children, some looking on helplessly as they see their offspring most likely being drawn away – their future, hopelessly uncertain. Their sordid plight should be included in our prayers also whenever we observe the sacrificial love shown by our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in freeing us from our own hopeless, sordid, sinful condition.
I know that our Heavenly Father is seeing their condition, that Jesus is likewise walking amidst the candlesticks there, even as he is among us, spiritually sustaining them. I know also that members of the CBM are active in these camps, doing what they can to lessen the suffering of our Brethren and Sisters, resettling in some cases. However, we all acknowledge that this is a big operation for our relatively small brotherhood, hence my question as to why this tremendous problem is being managed mainly by this group only when we have Brethren all over the world – many capable - who may be willing and eager to assist if called upon. Moses followed Jethro’s advice to enlist the help of others in the camp capable of helping to shoulder his responsibility which was clearly too much for him. Nehemiah likewise sought the help of his fellows in the work of rebuilding. There are numerous examples of this sort in the scriptures. Especially where our Brethren’s needs are concerned, we are all our brothers’ keepers, and the second greatest commandment – “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” – urges us all to become involved in whatever way we can.
A practical solution would seem to be an ongoing operation directly and solely focused on resettling our Brethren elsewhere - a move that would please our Heavenly Father. Nehemiah was faced with the tremendous challenge involved in his venture, so were the brethren urged to arise and build the temple, facing fierce opposition, and the disciples when commanded by Jesus to feed the five thousand with no provision for this….How did they manage? By resorting to God with whom all things are possible. Let us not be discouraged or deterred therefore by this mountain before us. Our God is much bigger and more powerful than this problem. Focusing on His love, wisdom, might and power instead, we can together approach Him for His help and guidance in putting the necessary plans in place. Let us strive to practise the faith that God urges in the scriptures, citing the many encouraging examples of men who rose up to these seemingly unconquerable challenges, overcoming them with His powerful help. Brethren, let us start with what we have now, progressing as time goes by, with the help of our Heavenly Father.
Let us now commit this undertaking unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (Ephesians 3:20.)
Sis Esther Worrell (Canada)
