Psalm 18

Psalm 18 (NRSV)
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
And who is a rock besides our God?—
32 the God who girded me with strength,
and made my way safe.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer,
and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand has supported me;
your helpb has made me great.
36 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.

Lord,
Today is 9-11, the anniversary of the attack on The World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and the thwarted assault on the capital. The images of the planes striking and buildings collapsing and fires burning and ashes everywhere and living people running for their survival and others seeking and mourning the dead, those images will never be erased form memory. No doubt, some who suffered are men and women who are faithful to you Lord. For all who still suffer, please give your grace in super-abundant measure.

Tell me again how your way is perfect, how your promises prove true and how you are a shield for all who take refuge in you. Please do not regard my question as skepticism or cynicism or irreverence or even disbelief. I just want to know and I wish to be faithful. I want to believe if I can know what to believe. How do you provide?

I have experienced your provision in my own life. In times of serious uncertainty, that which was needed has been provided and I believe that you are the source of that provision. Once we were involved in a serious roll-over auto accident and we all escaped without injury, your protection.

And yet, a lot of people died on 9-11.

So Lord, this is what I believe today. I submit it for our corection and improvement. I believe that you provide what is needed to meet the tragedies and difficulties that come. You do not always prevent tragedy and you clearly do not protect us from all difficulty, but you never abandon us and you always show us the way through. You give us what we need to cope and thrive even when thriving means thriving on the other side of the great river.

I believe Jesus when he said, "I am with you always...."

Keep your spirit with me, even when I fail you. And in failure, please forgive me.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Ask God for the grace to meet both the tough and the good times in life.
Pray for all who suffer the aftermath of 9-11.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.

In Christ’s name,
Amen.
b Or gentleness