Psalm 31

Psalm 31 (NRSV)
1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
do not let me ever be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
6 You hatea those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

Lord,
I confess that this doesn’t feel very “prayerful.” I’m sitting in the Denver airport between flights and wanting to get this done! How is that for prayer? But it’s all I have and I will either write to you here or maybe, today, not write at all.

Years ago, Malcom Boyd wrote a little book of prayers called “Run with Me Jesus.” How about, “Fly with me Jesus?” So here I sit, wanting to meet you through the Psalm.

Help me to pray with the poet, “But I trust in the LORD.” The question that, like you, is always as near as the air we breath is this, “In whom or in what do you trust?” The presence or absence of trust shapes every decision and controls every attitude. When there is nobody to trust, anxiety prevails, the stomach roils, and every decision is pushed by the need to find a safe place. When anxiety and fear prevail, every decision will be a quest for security and the quest for security, by itself, is seldom sufficient for wisdom and never the ground for courage.

Idolatry is always the misplacing of trust. It is trusting something or someone as being more trustworthy than you.

The questions Lord, I have always been stalked by questions. How can I trust you? For what can I trust you? In what way can I rely on you?

This is the bottom line for me. I pray that I am right. Show me more. I trust you never to abandon me and to grant me the grace to meet anything that comes my way.

I place my trust in you.

PERSONAL PRAYERS
As God to grow the spirit of trust in God within you.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “thank you” to God.
In Christ’s name,
Amen



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