For many years (at least the last five) there have been several potentially terror inspiring items at the forefront of our nation’s– and really, our world’s– collective consciousnesses. Threats or instances of terrorist attacks, dispersal of biological agents, sectarian violence, looming pandemics, and school shootings, to name just a few, have been the source of persistent unrest in the hearts of many, including, occassionally, myself.
We hope that our government prepares itself and protects us. We hope that doctors find cures for the potential plagues that await opportunity for outbreak. We hope that our children will come home safely from school every day.
We hope.
But each of us knows there is no way for us to be completely shielded from the possibility of any one of these tragedies touching either our own lives or the lives of those we love.
In light of this reality, it is comforting to know that we can turn to One who, while He may not keep us from every bad circumstance, can and will keep us through every tragedy that we may face, if we trust in Him.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Dear reader, may you find peace.