In The Balance

by Ruth Schmierer

As citizens of our planet, daily we view nations in the balance, undergoing inevitable change.

Over recent days we have seen displays of courage, defiance and hope as people have gathered in their quest for change in Egypt, possibilities inspired by their Tunisian brothers. Other governments are taking guarded action to try to stabilise their own territory.

Those engrained in national conflict declare what appears as legitimate criteria for which they aim. How such outcomes can be realistically achieved has captured world attention.

Other world leaders offer advice from the safety of homeland offices, seeking stability in a world region which has been, through the ages, a focal point of world affairs. The Arab world’s most populous nation of 85 million, Egypt is its cultural pacemaker.

Some have already died, having left home one day to join friends on a cause, fully intending to return home, but they didn’t. Their families now grieve.

Others have been stranded, simply trying to stay safe, while groups have united in an effort to maintain neighbourhood vigilance.

Onlookers or participants
So where are you and I in all this? Are we distant onlookers, revelling in the rush of the developing unknown? Or do we see ourselves as participants, those who carry responsibility for our world, willing and active in prayer with an open heart and an outstretched hand?

I was due in Egypt this week with my Australian friend, Pastor Tricia McDonald, plus five others. However, our UK foreign office triggered my reluctant decision to cancel flights and await the opportunity to return to this land which I have come to love—but my heart is very much there today. I encourage you also to pray sincerely for Egypt.

Pray for Egypt – a simple picture for a complex situation
We read in Genesis 21 that an Egyptian mother, Hagar, and Abraham’s son, Ishmael, were wandering in the wilderness, close to death for lack of water. But God saw them! At the sound of their heart-rending cries, to that Egyptian mama an angel brought great reassurance, “Fear not, for God heard the voice of the lad, where he is.” Suddenly, she saw a well of water and was able to save her son and herself from otherwise certain death.

However complex the situation, whoever meets this God who sees will be led to the life-giving water of life. Today we pray that modern-day descendants of Ishmael will cry out to the living God and experience the living water of God’s Spirit found through knowing Jesus Christ.

Pray for the nation of Egypt, known as the mother nation to the Arab world, that she would seek answers from heaven to her pressing needs. Pray for wisdom and understanding for national leaders who must deal wisely with complex issues at hand. Pray for the younger generation to humbly cry out to the God who sees!

Lesson for Leaders
Referring to Egypt’s situation of January 2011, one commentator observed, “There has been a huge gap between the ruler and the ruled.”

Sure, we have been watching world events of major proportion. But a little closer to home, where corporate or organisational scales are being balanced, to what extent do leaders truly identify with their people? As Jesus walked with his disciples, how well do we do life together? How much do we leaders take an interest in the well-being of those with whom we are connected in common cause?

One historically successful leader, Deborah, expressed in the biblical book of Judges:

5:2 For the leaders who took the lead in Israel, for the people who offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord!

5:9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people.

Here we read an account of leaders and followers, rulers and subjects together in common cause. The long-term challenge was great and short-term strategy essential. Courage was stirred, support was demonstrated, victory was shared and the long-term outcome was rest and stability.

As we pray for the nations today, looking to the God who sees, we can also evaluate our real connections with real people living real lives. May the scales we find ourselves upon be balanced with wisdom and understanding, identifying with others through practical demonstrations of love that never fails!