Weekly devotion: Where does wisdom come from?
Pontifical Mission, Lebanon
A view of Dbayeh refugee camp from above.
This week we’re praying for the young people in Dbayeh refugee camp near Beirut, who face limited educational and employment options. Established in the early 1950s, the camp is primarily made up of Christian Palestinian refugees. Palestinian refugees in Lebanon face strict labour laws that bar them from employment in at least 39 professions.
We are supporting the Pontifical Mission in Lebanon to offer life skills training, vocational courses and career guidance to youth in Dbayeh. Life skills and career specialists conduct awareness sessions with young people aged 13-25, as well as team building activities and vocational training in areas such as maintenance, first aid and IT. There is also provision for ambitious youths to access academic support.
The project is tackling head on the prevalent problems of illiteracy, school drop-out and unemployment in Dbayeh. It will empower the young people there to rewrite their futures by opening up new education and employment opportunities.
Bible reading
‘Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.’
Proverbs 9: 9-12
Thought
Our partnership with the Pontifical Mission is giving young people on the margins in Dbayeh refugee camp the opportunity to learn, grow and develop. The Bible places a high regard on education and learning, and these verses in Proverbs remind us of the importance of acquiring knowledge and wisdom. Yet they also remind us to be humble, by emphasising that God is the source and giver of all human wisdom.
Ask yourself: What does it mean to fear God? Why is fearing God connected to developing wisdom?
Prayer
This week, join us in praying the words of this blessing:
‘Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.’
Romans 11: 33,36
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LIFE FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN LEBANON
MY REFUGEE CAMP
Tim Livesey speaks to Sylvia Haddad, executive director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon.