Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
After 9/11/2001, President Bush urged America to get back to their previous lives to show the world that we cannot be broken, or the terrorists win. King David found himslef in a similar situation. This is part two of David’s lament, following the crying out of “How long O LORD?” Like all of America during that time, he pleaded with the Lord to restore his fortunes, lest he die, lest his enemy rejoice, lest his enemy win. Here is where he showed himself a man after God’s own heart. He finished the psalm this way;
But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
The president’s message in 2001 was “do not live in fear, lest the terrorists win”. This was admirable but I can’t help thinking it was an opportunity to urge us to put our trust in the Lord. That way there would be no way the terrorists would win. It could have turned a time of sorrow into a time of singing and rejoicing at our salvation in the Lord. Today, we have that chance. Trust in Jesus Christ, lest the enemy of fear win, lest the enemy of sin win, lest the enemy of despair win. We win because of steadfast love, salvation, and bountiful blessings. Rejoice!
Dear Lord, we praise you for your love and mercy. Help us to sing for joy to you in Jesus, name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church