Enemies and Psalms

As I read Psalm 3 a few days ago I was struck by two things: the dangers familiar to the writer of the psalm and the dangers of my life. The psalmist lived in a time of constant war in which any one of his many enemies might be lying in wait or planning his demise. He had physical enemies that carried swords, knives, spears, and other weapons of destruction. The writer laments that he has so many enemies and that many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Then he is reminded that the Lord is “a shield around [him]; [his] glory, the one who holds [his] head high” and he is comforted. He knows that if he cries out to the Lord, he will answer. He will provide him with safety. Suddenly, he is not afraid of even ten thousand enemies. He knows that his Lord will slap his enemies in the face and “shatter the teeth of the wicked.” He knows that ultimate victory comes from the Lord. He trusts that the Lord will bless those who trust in him.

The enemies in my life are different. I fear cancer. I fear financial ruin. I fear a catastrophe in my career. I fear loss of my marriage partner. I fear that I might mess up relationships with my kids. These are the enemies of my world. How will God respond to my enemies? I can trust him to take care of my enemies just as King David did. The Lord is a shield around me as well. He is my glory and the lifter of my head. As I cry out to him, he will rescue. I need not fear even ten thousand of these enemies. I may not understand what it means for the Lord to “slap cancer in the face” or “shatter the teeth of financial ruin,” but I can trust that the Lord has it under control. I need not fear. The Lord is in control.

Psalm 3 (New Living Translation)

O Lord, I have so many enemies;
    so many are against me.
So many are saying,
    “God will never rescue him!” Interlude

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
    you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude

I lay down and slept,
    yet I woke up in safety,
    for the Lord was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
    who surround me on every side.

Arise, O Lord!
    Rescue me, my God!
Slap all my enemies in the face!
    Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
Victory comes from you, O Lord.
    May you bless your people. Interlude

In A Dangerous Time

How does one live when difficult and dangerous times arise? When our economy is in decline, when our politicians must act decisively, when a mother must look for work to support her family, when a man considers work in another part of the country, when fire threatens our home and livelihood, when the word "cancer" comes from the lips of our doctor, when a country has sent troops to a civil war in a far-flung part of the world . . .

All of us must face difficulty, uncertainty, and even danger. Here is a collection of things others have said about how one must live in dangerous times. 

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Helen Keller

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership. Nelson Mandela

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” Nehemiah 6:11 (NLT)

No great art has ever been made without the artist having known danger. Rainer Maria Rilke

One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time. Bruce Cockburn

What is my stance when faced with danger, disease, financial stress, difficulty? Surely, I will call upon the Lord. I will not run from danger; nor will I seek it out. I will take from the hand of God whatever is offered. I will rely upon God to sustain me through the path on which he leads me.

I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.
2 Samuel 22:4 (NLT)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Distracted

Please don't read this blog while walking down the street. Distracted walking can be a cause of injury or even death. One article on the subject has noted that, "The combination of distracted walking and distracted driving is commonly blamed for the recent increase in pedestrian deaths . . ."

When asked for comment, one pedestrian admitted, “I’m a severe texter and walker, so I don’t know if I can quit on my own."

Several cities are considering "distracted walking legislation" to prevent serious injury. I think we can learn to put our screens away while we walk and drive. It simply takes personal discipline.

Image courtesy of Liberty Mutual Insurance.