Psalm 54
But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
Psalm 54 is a cry for deliverance. The psalmist writes from a place of hurt, betrayal and persecution. Rather than succumb to their despair, the psalmist looks to the heavens for guidance. They clutch onto the goodness of the Lord and the promise that the Lord, our God, is a helper, a sustainer. In a world where silence feels easier than truth, in a world that pushes justice-seekers to the margins, Psalm 54 offers strength to those who endure in the name of justice.
Few embodied this steadfast faith and education as the Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory did. Ivory encountered racial hatred early in life — born and raised in rural New Jersey, where the KKK’s roots ran deep. Her voice rang out with courage and conviction in Howell Township, New Jersey, where she demanded that African American history be taught in schools despite radical opposition from white supremacists. As the third ordained Black woman in the Presbyterian Church, she carved out a path where few had walked before but inspired many to follow. She continued to serve nearly two decades in the PC(USA)’s Washington office, where she spoke of the power of truth. Across the globe, from the Caucasus to Congo, she called people toward a shared vision of peace rooted in equity, truth and faithful endurance through her work with the World Council of Churches.
She prayed, “Lead us from public deceptions that weaken trust / Lead us from divisions among us based on class, race, gender or sexuality / Lead us from wealth that will not share.”
May we, too, look to God in our despair for the injustice of the world, have the endurance to speak truth in God’s name, and trust that we will be sustained by the love of our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
God of truth, of light, of hope,
When despair overwhelms, comfort us.
When injustice persists, sustain us.
When the truth is hard, strengthen us.
Let endurance in our path to peace be a reflection of your steadfast love.
Amen.
Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Grace Kromke (she/they) is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Women’s & Gender Studies and Public Policy. Grace has served as a young adult delegate for the PC(USA) at the United Nations’ 69th Commission on the Status of Women and the U.N. High Level Political Forum. As a Peacemaking Fellow in the Office of Public Witness, Grace is engaging in ministry, advocacy and public witness while working on issues such as gun violence prevention, gender justice and gender-based violence, and anti-war and peace.
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