Psalm 17:8-9

Guard me as the apple of the eye;  hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who despoil me,  my deadly enemies who surround me

The world has always been a scary place. There has never been a generation that has not suffered from the threat of enemies surrounding them. But in the past two years our enemies have expanded from wars and weaponry to stealthy biological foes who attack from a simple cough or sneeze or even a friendly handshake. A devastating illness has come into our lives transforming every part of our existence.

 The media and internet assault us with statistics and arguments for or against treatments for this unseen aggressor. We are hypnotized by fear of illness and grim reports of death tolls. We watch this every hour of every day.

 It’s okay to be vigilant. It’s okay to recognize and try to protect ourselves from worldly attacks and fears but from them we cannot truly ever hide. Instead of running from our fears perhaps it would be better to keep our eyes trained elsewhere. 

The Lord has promised to keep us in His eyesight. He has promised to protect us under His loving wings as a mother bird protects her hatchlings from the storms of the world. 

The world will ever be filled with fearful things. The only way to counteract the forces that wish to make us cower is to shield ourselves with faith. To keep our eyes trained upon the Lord and to see ourselves in His eyes is a powerful defense. 

Prayer

Dear Lord please hide and shelter us in your 
loving arms as we fight our fears. Remind us daily 
that it is through you that we can find the strength to 
carry on with our lives while living compassionately 
with others. Amen