Psalm 102:17-18a – He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation. (NIV)

Romans 15:4 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)

Just after Christmas, a young teenager came to his grandparents and asked if he could stay with them for a little while, as things at his home weren't going well, and he had nowhere to go.

No doubt there was a conversation with his family before taking him in. I have no idea what went on in the home of his parents! But for whatever reason, there was no love lost between them! In fact, there is in this teenager a lot of hate.

He seemed lost and afraid, and it was decided by all concerned that he would stay in the home of his grandparents to finish out his school term.

But what the elderly grandparents did not know was that this boy was on drugs, and they never imagined what was to come before them during those six months. On more than one occasion, the police were at their door. Even as they love and care for him, it was obvious that the load was far too heavy for them to carry. Struggling on to the last day of school, the time came to move him out. What a hurtful time for grandma.

I don't know the end of this story, but it has been tragic to watch and very draining on the caregivers.

What about this boy — and so many of this generation who suffer in the same way? They lose everything, living on the streets with nowhere to go, no place to sleep, to eat, to bathe — completely lost and doing anything and everything to get money for drugs.

What a downfall in a generation. How deep is the silence of the soul!

What is it that will save them?

Reading over today's Scriptures once more, let us pray that those who have become destitute may turn back to God in prayer, and that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, they might have hope.

Then, we who know the Lord must try to deliver that hope to those who so desperately need to hear it, whenever there is someone who will listen.

Prayer: Most gracious heavenly Father, we pray not only for one family, but also for many in this world who have a child or children who are homeless and have no-one to care for them. We pray for those who seek drugs to escape their hurt, and for parents who don't know how to deal with these situations, and who, in some cases, give up on their own children. We pray for those who are lost that they may find their way out of their misery. We pray for them in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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About the author:

Anne Russell <annerussell80@gmail.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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