Sunday 18 October, 2020

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. 1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. 3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— 4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” 6 And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. 7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, 8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

It has been a difficult year for many reasons, for many people. At such a time, like the psalmist, it is easy to focus on the negatives within my world. It is tempting to wistfully remember the ‘old days’ with a rosy hue, like the psalmist feeling ‘no one is faithful anymore’. The reality here is that we can leave all those things, past, present, and future, with God. Where the world lacks integrity, the words of God are trustworthy and reliable.

My experience is that time and again my circumstances have allowed me to see the words and promises of God. And what I have found is God can be trusted, He is my defender and my Saviour and provider. No matter what times we face, when the world lets me down, when my faith in humanity or circumstances is destroyed, I know that God is faithfully standing with me. He is there for you too.

Thank you Father for your faithful protection. Thank you, Lord, that I can rely on you. Help me Lord to keep my eyes on you and to not be distracted by my circumstances or the world. In Jesus name. Amen

Written by Christine Knight