Download “In the World” for January 5, 2025 here.
AFFLICTED BY FIRE
After five years of restoration, the Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened. In 2019, a fire broke out in Paris’s iconic cathedral. It destroyed the spire and roof and damaged the building’s interior. Support flooded in from around the globe, with financial giving totaling over $890 million. But the full care shown in protecting and restoring this historical building can be seen in the methods and materials used. While updates have been made—including a sprinkler system to prevent future fires—the restoration project has largely kept to historical practices and materials. The wood and stone for this restoration are the very same types used when Notre Dame was first constructed.
AFFLICTED BY INJUSTICE
The psalmist cries out to God, lamenting the actions of the wicked. But the psalmist is not alone in his troubles, for God sees everything the afflicted endure. The oppressed are not alone in their suffering. God will act and provide help to those who hurt. He has not abandoned them, and never will. The psalmist asks the Lord to enact justice against the wicked. Their actions will not go unchecked; God will respond to their victim’s cries.
- What fires or natural disasters stand out in your mind because of the damage they caused?
- When has God shown you that he cares for you in your affliction?
- How can you show your care for someone who is suffering?
Additional Resources
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