Over the years, Joel and I have developed a little saying that we ended up telling each other quite a bit. A car accident devastates our plans for months ahead, a freaky bacteria puts him in the hospital, people leave the church, we get discouraged, and we say, “Nothing bad is happening.” Or, it’s often something much smaller that threatens our sunny outlooks. The day gets a frustrating start as we scramble to find the keys and someone says, “Nothing bad is happening.”
Do I always believe him? Well, in some ways, no. But in other ways, I have to. I know my God is good. He only gives good gifts (Matthew 7:7-11).
I’ve been reading world news online a lot this week (hourly?) while Joel is away and the more I read, the more I have found comfort in Psalm 140.
Deliver Me, O Lord, from Evil Men
1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, 2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. 3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. 5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to the Lord, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! 7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
And then, here comes my favorite:
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
I love knowing that God sees His people and that He especially cares for those who are “afflicted.” It was one of the most special times of sharing the Word I’ve ever had when I got to explain some of God’s promises to “the fatherless” to the orphaned girls we foster on weekends. God is a mighty Warrior for those who need His defense. Whether persecuted, orphaned, or just a little frazzled, I have to choose to believe, “Nothing bad is happening.” Glory to Him!
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