Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8 Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll—
are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
list my tears on your scroll—
are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me? (Psalm 56)
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me? (Psalm 56)
Thoughts: The point of terrorism is to make us afraid. Afraid to open the mail, afraid to go into work at the fertilizer plant, afraid to run in the race or go to the sporting event. Jesus was not afraid to face the cross, though he certainly did not want to (praying "if possible let this cup pass"). The great leaders of the Christian faith: Paul Peter, John were not afraid. Historically Luther, Knox, Calvin, Patrick, Livingstone, and millions of others showed they were not afraid of what man can do. Instead they found a resource from fear in trusting in God. Perfect love, writes John, casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18). The Psalmist writes, "When I am afraid I will trust in you." Can you say that? If you can then you are a witness to a world. We face acts of terror by helping the victims of the act, praying for them and their families, safeguarding ourselves as much as possible, but ultimately looking to God for our safety and calling out for His mercy and help. Terrorists are defeated when there is no reaction of terror.
Prayer: In you I trust O Lord. Help me to not be afraid. I turn to you with my whole heart seeking your will, your mercy, your protection.
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