Thoughts for the Day

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfils his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me,
he will put to shame those who trample on me.....

I lie down among lions,
that greedily devour human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongues sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The psalmist is in trouble, we don't know what's happened exactly, but it looks like he is threatened by the enemy. He draws pictures with words - he feels as though he is being trampled by the horses or feet of his foes, while their spears, swords and arrows are like being eaten alive by lions. Yet despite this he trusts the Almighty and in another image pictures God as a huge bird, who is sheltering him under his wings.

We may not be facing a hoard of avenging attackers, but for many today it may feel just as bad. We may be about to lose our home or our job; have family suffering with covid-19; had loved ones die recently; be suffering mentally; or simply feel scared stiff of the future. There is only one thing we can do - turn to God with all the confidence of the psalmist who says:

'Until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfils his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me.'

Tuesday 8th December, follow up thoughts

Lord God
we pray that You will
fulfill Your purpose in us;
protect us from
all that may harm us;
and if it be Your will
enable us to move
confidently into the future.
Amen.