Psalm 91

The world awoke to news of a calculated but senseless attack on random citizens in New York which claimed the lives of at least 8 people and wounded many more.  To think a person's life is at risk walking or leisurely riding a bike with friends targeted by a rampaging driver is alarming and tragic.  So where does an overwhelmed soul go from here?  Assembling in a show of angry defiance?  Fear and isolation?  Justice is needed for the perpetrator, but not vengeance upon potential suspects.  The LORD God, He will repay.

Recently I read Psalm 91, an encouraging passage for all those who place their confidence in God.  The terrible things we hear and the news and painful circumstances we face threaten to rob us of joy given us by our Saviour Jesus Christ, but by His grace we can rest peacefully as we look to Him and remember God's promises.  Fear prevents us from being strong and courageous.  Bad things happen to believers and unbelievers alike, but there is sure and eternal hope in our God who keeps our souls from all harm.  Evil which drowns others in fear and perdition has no power over God's children to destroy.  Our strength is not in self but in the God who loves and carries us.  We need not fall prey to the fear which is common to all men.  Take courage in the LORD, believer, as you seek refuge in Him.  Call out to the LORD and He will hear you and answer.  Here is Psalm 91 in the NKJV:

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ²  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust." ³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. ⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, ⁶ nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. ⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. ⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. ⁹ Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, ¹⁰ no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; ¹¹ for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. ¹² In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. ¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. ¹⁴ "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."