Walking In Strange Places

 

...for now you shall

go out from the city

and dwell in the open country;

   you shall go to Babylon.

There you shall be rescued;

there the LORD 

    will redeem you

from the hand of your enemies. 

            Micah 4. 10

God powerfully uses

 the most unusual situations

  and improbable places

to bring us or others back

                   to Him.

The hard stuff may be right

   in the center of His will

for our redeeming, restoration,

and for a strong witness

  in broken places

  and among those who wander.

The LORD is here.

     Even unbelievably here.

Never give up

  praying for those in Babylon

and our being faithful there.

O LORD,

Wherever we find ourselves,

   may we be faithful to You.

It may seem like walking 

         in enemy territory

  or a bleak landscape,

but Your Holy Spirit invades

     powerfully even there.

Rescue, Almighty One,

  those we love who reside there.

   Abide in them.

Rescue, redeem, restore,

  and bring them back

             to You.

Urge us on to pray for others

   and love them

          even from afar.

You work miracles

  in the most unexpected people

     and unlikely scenarios.

You always have.

Grant us the courage

   to be a witness in Babylon.

Lives are at stake.

    Perhaps even our own.