A Light of Hope
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall, I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
Today, freedom of speech—the right to raise our voices for truth and justice—is under attack across the globe and even in our own communities. Attempts to silence protest, censor truth, or intimidate those who speak out against injustice are modern forms of darkness. Yet Psalm 27 reminds us that fear cannot rule us when the Lord is our light.
God’s light is not neutral—it exposes what is hidden, confronts oppression, and reveals the path of truth. This psalm challenges us to see God’s light as a power that emboldens faith communities to resist fear and stand boldly for justice.
When speech is restricted, silence becomes complicity. To be faithful, we must not only cherish our right to speak but also use our voices to amplify those who have been marginalized, threatened, or ignored. God’s light gives us courage to say what others fear to say and to proclaim truth in love, even when it is unpopular.
God’s light must not be hidden within sanctuaries but carried into the streets. We shine where voices are silenced, where systems oppress, and where truth is denied. Hope becomes resistance: a holy refusal to let fear or injustice have the final word.
The attack on freedom of speech is not only a political issue but a spiritual one, it is an attack on light itself. And so, as people of faith and justice, we are called to stand, speak, and shine without fear.
Let’s Reflect:
- Where do you sense the temptation to remain silent out of fear?
- Who in your community needs your voice to amplify their truth and struggles?
- How can you embody God’s light in a culture that often seeks to silence it?
Let’s Pray:
Light of the World, You are our salvation and stronghold. When fear rises and voices are threatened, remind us that Your light cannot be dimmed. Grant us courage to speak truth, even when it is costly. Strengthen us to defend freedom of speech not only for ourselves but for the most vulnerable. May our words be filled with grace and justice, reflecting Your light in a world longing for hope. Amen.
Light & Love,
Rev. Sondrea L. Tolbert
Executive Director & CEO
Scarritt Bennett Center
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