June 12, 2023 — Psalm 55 

“Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm. ” Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they prowl about on its walls; malice and abuse are within it. Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets.” Psalm 55:1-11 

Often we meet people that do not listen to us even though they pretend to hear us, leaving us frustrated that we cannot get across to them what we want to say. In this Psalm we get the impression that David is pleading to be heard in the highest heavens by G-d Himself. He pleads that G-d would not ignore him in his troubles. 

There is no place on earth where trouble is not found. Our Lord Jesus says in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart in me for I have overcome the world”.  The Greek word translated “conquered” or “overcome” means “to defeat, to win a victory over, as in a contest or military conflict.” The “world” we live in is the created physical realm of our existence. Jesus knows that here on earth we encounter trouble and sorrow. But He has overcome the world and every earthly obstacle for us. Through the cross, Jesus defeats for us the evils of this world including sin, death and the devil. We will not be held above such evils, but because of Jesus we will endure through them, and continue to the end.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you were rejected by your people, betrayed by the kiss of a friend, and deserted by your disciples. In our trouble, give us the confidence that you had in the Father and the assurance of our salvation now and forever. 

Amen. 

June 13, 2023 — Psalm 56 

“Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many fight against me. O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? All day long they seek to injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they hoped to have my life, so repay them for their crime; in wrath cast down the peoples, O God! You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record? Then my enemies will retreat in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? My vows to you I must perform, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, so that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56 

Many times we feel helpless when people attack us — our reputations and our actions. Stress and the cost of living are as much a “pandemic” to us in these times – as much as was the virus called Covid-19. We also experience the stress from the comments of those who disagree with us on Social Media and other sites and so many venues. I think the longer we seek only to be heard and not to hear our neighbors, we will find ourselves not only afraid of hidden viruses, but also suffering from an overwhelming sense of fear, helplessness and hopelessness.  

Like so many before us, if we could run away, we would fly away to some distant land to be at rest. But it is just not possible to simply run away. Now is a good time to put more trust in our G-d and spend more time in the Word of G-d. The Psalms remind us to pray to G-d for help, and to expect that we will receive not only help, but G-d’s abundant love as well.  

Captain Ahab in Moby Dick says, “I will have no man on my ship who does not fear a whale”. Fear of whales or snakes or even spiders may be very real for many people, imaginary fears are a drain on our energy and will leave us tired and listless. Running away from our fears and troubles is usually always futile — approaching G-d and seeking G-d’s love, mercy and Grace is well within our daily schedules — or at least it should be.  

Prayer 

Lord Jesus Christ, victim for our sins, you trusted in your Father’s protection and kept silent when you were tormented. Give us that same confidence, that we may gladly suffer with you and for you, offering the Father our sacrifice of praise and walking before him in the light of the living; and to you be the glory now and forever.  

Amen.