Boston Marathon

I woke with Boston on my mind; people whose lives are changed forever because of hate. What has our world become keeps repeating over and over in my heart. But why do I think it has become anything that it hasn't always been? The world has been broken and ruled by hate for a long, long time. The difference is now I am living in it. What will I do with my fear?

I fear easily. Circumstances shake me to the core. I panic -and react  to situations before they even fully erupt because I can vividly imagine the depths of horror before they even unfold.

How do people continue today? How can we joyfully bring babies into this world of war, confidently rear our children in unpredictable surroundings; send them off to school where security is a false hope, board our destination planes with sobering uncertainty, and drive to our office buildings as if they stand indestructible. We are a people who must run into danger and not from it; people who must continue to publicly assemble where danger is not supposed to hover, and yet how? How can we live this way? Who can deny that indeed evil does lurk, scheme, and premeditate wicked acts upon humanity? It always has!

This inner conflict is a churning, tearing reaction of my flesh. I cannot live there. Life cannot be there. This grip of fear is cold and ugly, and dark, and it suffocates me.  Life's breath is choked by fear. People were meant to know full life - eternal life - life that cannot be threatened by anyone or anything. My soul aches to touch this reality, but I am wrapped in flesh.

Fear is a reaction of the flesh to which faith in Jesus Christ has an answer. Jesus is the only answer. I look to Him, by faith, and I ask.

What could you possibly say to this God?  And I felt as if He asked me, "Are you ready to listen, you of little faith?"

I began to read:

I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You. Psalm 31:22 

I sit in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. Psalm 69:2

The waters flowed over my head; I said, "I am cut off!" I called on Your name, O Lord from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: "Do not hide your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help." You drew near on the day I call on You, and said, "Do not fear!" Lamentations 3:54-57

Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?...And I said, "This is my anguish; but I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Psalm 77:7-11

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him. 
Psalm 91:15

Today will continue as every day always has - with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is with us, and for us, and the only One who can deliver us from our enemies and from our fear.  What can man do to us? No evil can touch the soul that belongs to God - by faith. 

"Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Praying - with you - for those who have been affected by this act of terror - for the glory of our God in every one. The battle isn't over yet. He will be victorious.

The Redeemer is strong. Jeremiah 50:34