A Psalm for Today

My mind is reeling, heart is aching.  All day long the television tells me of destruction and manhunts and explosions.  Evil struts boldly down the street.  Terror stalks and devours peace.  The enemy of my soul horrifies me with his unthinkable, vile acts.  Will the next ambush be worse than the last?  From where will it come?  How can I protect myself from an adversary I can't see?  And what about my precious children?!?

Come, all you people that I love, and we will hide out!  We will arm ourselves and stockpile supplies and dare anyone to threaten us here.  My two-story cul-de-sac fortress can shelter us from the darkness that lurks outside my door.  Well it can, can't it?  No, even here, protection is only physical and temporary at best.  I need a more permanent solution. 

And then I remember - YOU, Lord.  I turn to You, battered and shattered again.  My spirit is bruised and I need someplace to heal, to process. 

You are the God who was, and is, and is to come.  None of this world's craziness is a surprise to You.  I trust Your all-knowing goodness.  When I think about Your power, it's like my spirit takes a deep breath.  YOU are my security.  You are worthy of my belief.  All of my confidence is in You. 

And even when my newsfeed blows up with the next appalling act, I know that You are still in control.  Oh Lord, help me not to let my life be dictated by my 24-hour streaming, tweeting, live reporting, late breaking news culture.  Either I trust You or I don't.  And I do.

Your Word is true.  Your character is holy.  Your motivation is love.  You are unshakable, steady.  You are the foundation on which I build my life and to which I point my kids.  Thank you, thank you, thank you that because of who You are, I can live free from fear.  Free.  From.  Fear.  Truly blessed assurance.