1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from the dread enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the scheming of evildoers,
3 who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting from ambush at the blameless;
they shoot suddenly and without fear.
5 They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see us?
6 Who can search out our crimes?
We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.”
For the human heart and mind are deep.
7 But God will shoot his arrow at them;
they will be wounded suddenly.
8 Because of their tongue he will bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake with horror.
9 Then everyone will fear;
they will tell what God has brought about,
and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him.
Let all the upright in heart glory. – Psalm 64
To all who have served in our nation’s military, today we offer our thanks!
Happy Veterans’ Day.
While, I myself have never served, my family has. My father made a career in the National Guard, and several of the members of my Mother’s side, including my grandfather served our nation during World War II. I am thankful for the wonderful freedoms that have been defended by enemies both foreign and domestic by our military. I’m am glad God’s protection of each who serve now, and hope that there will come a day that you all hear the words of our Lord, “well done, good and faithful servants.”
Cries for God’s help are always evident among those who find themselves in harm’s way. The Psalmist offers a prayer of protection in this 64th psalm. The cry to the Lord is from one who knows that enemies will find a to bring dread upon them. Such enemies could arise at any moment, from any place. Yet, in our faith, we believe the Lord is present even and especially in times of danger. God will bring those who oppose His justice to ruin, God will bring fear to those who elicit fear, and God will bring rejoicing to the righteous.
One day, this prayer will be completely answered, when we all are in that wonderful place of eternal peace, but until such time I pray that God will continue to protect those who serve us, will continue to fight with us for justice in all places, and will be a place for all to find refuge and strength.
Grace & Peace,
Sam