Psalm 37:23-25
The steps of good men are
directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall,
it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them with his hand.
I have
been young and now I am old. And in all my years I have never seen the
Lord forsake a man who loves him; nor have I seen the children of the
godly go hungry.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
It’s happened again…a
demonstration of hatred and senseless violence against decent, innocent
people – this time in Paris, France. And this time, it’s personal for
me, because the childhood friend of my mother – my best
friend/neighbor’s older sister – is a resident of this European city,
where she has resided for almost 40 years. When the attacks occurred,
she was returning home via subway after going to a movie. She was doing
what thousands were doing on a regular Friday night in a major
city…enjoying herself and minding her own business. Yet dozens just
like her didn’t return home – and more than 100 of them never will.
So
what are we to do? Our church’s Bishop, Gary Mueller, wrote a poignant
note today for Facebook and suggested that the one thing we can do is to refuse operate in fear. He said we must do this…”not because of our own strength - but because of God.”
I
look at these words of the psalmist David in Psalm 37…surely he had
seen his share of violence, death, and betrayal. And yet, he said that
he had never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves Him…nor had he seen
the children of the godly go hungry. David noted that God “holds them
with His hand.”
Even today, as we see innocent blood
spilled…lives turned upside down by this horrific tragedy and senseless
act of hatred…we must grab hold of these words from the Psalms and cling
to God’s promises. Even physical death cannot defeat those of us who
truly love and trust God for everything. I hope and pray that every
single one of the victims of yesterday’s violence were immediately
transported to Heaven and now sit in the presence of God Almighty. Yet I
know that this may not be the case. I cannot control this…but I can
do all that I am able to ensure that I meet Him there someday…and that I
share the message of Christ’s love and care to every person I encounter
in the meantime.
I am saddened for the families of these
victims…and for my friend and all residents of Paris who are so
heartsick today over what has happened in their city. I understand that
they are surely frightened for their own safety – and worried for their
future. But I am confident that God is still in control…that He is
orchestrating order in this chaos…redemption in the rubble…and peace
where we see pandemonium.
I am picturing God holding each of us by His powerful-yet-gentle hand. And I am trusting Him to handle ALL of my worries and cares – today, and always. What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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