Psalm 11

1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains;a
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

Lord,
It does indeed sometimes seem that good people are the targets of irrational and inexplicable sorrow. Those who live ethically and behave morally and love you and neighbor sometimes suffer more than others who are unethical, immoral and grossly self-centered. It is simply not true that the faithful are always blessed with health and wealth.

“The wicked bend the bow…to shoot …the upright in heart.” The poet knows about sin and evil. The poet knows the eternal struggle. Save us from surprise when Sin and Evil raise their ugly heads to harm your children.

The poet was advised to run to the mountains and I understand the temptation. There are days when it seems to be not worth the fight. And yet, I still believe. In days of difficulty, I choose to believe that you are with us, paying attention to our plight, granting strength for the struggle and preparing a future that just and good.

Lord, I talked with a family this morning. You know them. You know their faithfulness. You know the kindness of their hearts. And, truth is, life is beating-up on them in ways nearly too bizarre to imagine. I cannot believe that they have earned their sorrow. But, earned or not, they have it. Comfort, encourage and bless them. Turn their sorrow to joy and their suffering to celebration.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Pray for faith in the midst of struggle
Pray for those who are suffering unfairly.
Name five things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.



4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord ’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
[1]

a Gk Syr Jerome Tg: Heb flee to your mountain, O bird
[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.