Jeremiah 38:6-7a, 11-13a
“So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern…They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.  But Ebed-Melech, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern…So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace.  He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.  [He] said to Jeremiah, ‘Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.’  Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern.”

Luke 10:33-34
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.  Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.”

Psalm 40:1-2
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

Merciful God, you look upon the disasters that have befallen us with deep compassion.

As we sink into the mud of despair, you hear our cry.  With acts of gentle love you tend to our wounds and lift us from the place where we have been abandoned.

Soften our hearts for the plight of the foreigner and the neighbour, so that as we have been mercifully rescued we might also stop to revive the downcast.  Teach us to bind their bruises with healing hands.

Thank you for the love shown to us by your Son Jesus Christ, who willingly entered the pit so that we might be lifted high and set firmly upon the Rock.

Listen to ‘He Lifted Me‘ by Jim Spencer Music