Today

Dear Lord,

It's so difficult to comprehend all that has changed in our world in the last seven years. But, here we are. We've managed to maintain a sense of stability, if not a reality of stability, after our innocence and feelings of safety crashed around us when those airplanes hurtled toward imminent destruction.

We've given up freedoms to feel safe, we've watched young men and women die when many of us have no understanding of the full purpose of a war that was waged in reaction to that fateful day. Every disaster brings back memories of that gorgeous September morning with nary a cloud in the sky. We are haunted by the pictures and frightened of the possibilities.

In this great land, we have forgotten that to trust in You is to place our confidence in the One who brings perfect peace. We have put our trust in governments and policing agencies, hoping they will bring perpetrators to justice and make us feel safe again.

Oh, God, our God, You are our hope. You are our strength and shield. In You alone will we find safety.

Today, Lord, I ask that You show us small reminders of Your power and grace. Show us mercy when we need it, help us to find peace in the midst of chaos, help us to reach out to those around us with trust and openness.

Psalm 24

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty - he is the King of glory.