Daniel (Greek) 13:41-46: a reflection

41Then the assembly believed them, as those who were elders of the people and judges; so they condemned her to death. 42Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, “O everlasting God, you know the secrets, and know all things before they happen. 43You know that they have testified falsely against me. Behold, I must die, even though I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.” 44The Lord heard her voice. 45Therefore when she was led away to be put to death, God raised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniel. 46He cried with a loud voice, “I am clear from the blood of this woman!”

Susanna, falsely accused and condemned to death on the testimony of respected elders, cries out to God as she is led away to die: O eternal God, you know the secrets, and know all things before they happen; you know that they have testified falsely against me. She appeals to the God who knows the truth, though no human court does. And the text says simply: the Lord heard her voice. God heard her cry, and raised up Daniel to save her. When she cried out to the God who knew the truth, he heard.

Notice to whom Susanna appeals, and that God hears. Condemned by human testimony, with no human able to save her, she cries out to the God who knows all secrets, who knew the truth of her innocence though the court did not. And the Lord heard her voice; her cry to the God who knows the truth did not go unheard. When every human recourse had failed, the appeal to God, who knows the truth, was heard, and he acted to deliver her.

That God hears the cry of the wronged, who appeal to him when no one else knows the truth, is a comfort. When we are wronged, falsely accused, condemned by testimony we cannot refute, and no human sees or believes the truth, we can feel utterly alone, with no recourse. But God knows the truth, all secrets, and he hears the cry of the wronged who appeal to him. Susanna cried out to the God who knew the truth, and he heard her. When you are wronged and no one knows or believes the truth, do not despair as though there were no recourse; cry out to God, who knows all secrets, who knows the truth of your case though no one else does. The Lord heard Susanna's voice; he hears the cry of the wronged who appeal to him. Appeal to the God who knows the truth, and trust that he hears, as he heard Susanna, even when no human sees or believes; for God knows the truth, and hears the cry of those wronged who call on him.

Lord, Susanna, falsely accused and condemned to death, cried out as she was led away: O eternal God, you know the secrets, and know all things before they happen; you know they have testified falsely against me; and the text says simply, the Lord heard her voice, and you raised up Daniel to save her. Show me to whom she appealed, and that you heard. Condemned by human testimony, with no human able to save her, she cried out to you, who knows all secrets, who knew the truth of her innocence though the court did not. And you heard her voice. That you hear the cry of the wronged, who appeal to you when no one else knows the truth, is a comfort. When I am wronged, falsely accused, condemned by testimony I cannot refute, and no human sees or believes the truth, I can feel utterly alone, with no recourse. But you know the truth, all secrets, and you hear the cry of the wronged who appeal to you. Susanna cried out to you, and you heard her. When I am wronged and no one knows or believes the truth, keep me from despairing as though there were no recourse; help me cry out to you, who know all secrets, who know the truth of my case though no one else does. You heard Susanna's voice; you hear the cry of the wronged who appeal to you. Help me appeal to you, who know the truth, Lord, and trust that you hear, as you heard Susanna.