Psalm 22:11 “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”

[David had only you to turn to, Lord, his great God and good Shepherd. Only you could help Jesus in His earthly life. And so it is in our lives: in the midst of powerful forces swirling around us--spiritual, political, economic, social--only you, Heavenly Father, can actually help. As it says in Psalm 62:1, “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him.” All others are limited and weak, they fail, are faulty, are fickle, but you are faithful.

As it says in Psalm 18:16-18, “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.”]

I praise you, Lord God, that you reach into every aspect of our lives to carry us through whatever challenges come. You take us through the valley of the shadow of death “out into a broad place; [you] rescue me, because [you] delight in me” (Ps. 18:19).

Thank you that today you will work this way in my life. Save me from the evil one, from evil people, from evil events and from my own evil within. Help me to keep on the armor, to trust in you that you may shield my head in today's battle. Amen.