Day 171 · Part 10: The Return
Judith
In the Story
In context
Judith, in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, is a widow of Bethulia who has worn sackcloth for three years and four months and “feared God exceedingly” (Judith 8:4–8). She calls the elders and tells them they were wrong to give God five days: “who are you that you have tested God this day?” (8:11–12). “Let’s wait for the salvation that comes from him,” she says, “and call upon him to help us” (8:17).
At the hour when the evening incense is offered in Jerusalem, she prays, asking God to break the Assyrians’ pride “by the hand of a woman,” for “your power stands not in numbers,” and he is “a helper of the weak” (9:1, 10–11). Her prayer recalls her ancestor Simeon’s sword at Shechem, a hard story from Genesis (9:2–4; Genesis 34:25).
She takes off her widow’s clothes and dresses in her finest, “to deceive the eyes of all men who would see her,” and goes down with her maid to the Assyrian camp, where the guards bring her to Holofernes’ tent (10:3–23).
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 · Judith prayed that God’s power “stands not in numbers” and that he is “a helper of the weak”; the Lord tells Paul, “my power is made perfect in weakness.”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Judith 8
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Judith 9
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Judith 10
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A hymn for today
Sweet Hour of Prayer · words by William W. Walford
- Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!That calls me from a world of care,And bids me at my Father's throneMake all my wants and wishes known;In seasons of distress and grief,My soul has often found relief,And oft escaped the tempter's snareBy thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
- Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!Thy wings shall my petition bearTo Him whose truth and faithfulnessEngage the waiting soul to bless;And since He bids me seek His face,Believe His word and trust His grace,I'll cast on Him my every care,And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
- Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,I view my home and take my flight:This robe of flesh I'll drop, and riseTo seize the everlasting prize;And shout, while passing through the air,Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!