31:1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your
righteousness deliver me.
31:2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a
strong fortress to save me.
31:3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide
me,
31:4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
31:5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
31:19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
31:20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them
safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
31:21 Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when
I was beset as a city under siege.
31:22 I had said in my alarm, "I am driven far from your sight." But you
heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
31:23 Love the LORD, all you his saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but
abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD.
A trap has been set for me - there is a feeling of anxiety and fear; yet I will place
all my trust in my Refuge and my Rock. I am surrounded by enemies and persecutors - yet I
will not be undone for I have committed myself to you, you are my Redeemer!
This faith is incredible! Are we as sure about God as the petitoner in this psalm? Can
we rest easy, knowing that our enemy sits with us in worship and shares the Bread and the
Cup with us. How do we live with this faith, this trust, this assurance? Why does my
paranoia raise its head, whenever I think that all is all right? How do we make this psalm
ours?
Tom in Ga
"Take me out of the net that has been hidden for me" or "A trap has been
set for me".
This Psalm could have been written by any of the victims of Littleton.
Sunday, I wrote how Christ was at the gate as those boys were filled with hate and
plotted to kill hundreds of students. He was at the gate and was broken and killed by
their sin - by the sin of all whose who had inflicted pain on them, too. He died
protecting us -not from earthly death - but from the death that is the result of our sin.
Death doesn't mean it is over. Jesus rose to new life. As we commit our sinful spirit
to him, he is able to rescue us completely. Completely in this world from our guilt and
despair, and completely in the next from eternal pain, suffering, and death.
Though we may die, we live. Though things may not go as I have planned, all is right
and well in Christ who has conquored all.
Tigger in ND
