Held in the palm of God’s hand
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 NRSV
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.”
Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Dr. Neil C. Stewart
First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
O Lord, our Refuge and Strength,
You have spoken that in this world we will have tribulation, yet Your Son has overcome the world.
You are the sovereign One, who sees the end from the beginning, and in Your Son, we behold the fullness of grace and truth. Yet, we confess that our hearts are often troubled, our faith is weak, and our joy is fleeting.
You have promised that our sorrow will turn to joy, but we cling to fear instead of trusting in Your victory. We are slow to believe, like the disciples who scattered in the hour of trial, forgetting that You are with us.
Forgive us for our doubts, our love of comfort over courage, and our tendency to seek peace in the world rather than in Christ. Cleanse us from our sin and strengthen our hearts to stand steadfast in You. Fill us with the peace that Christ gives, not as the world gives, but the deep, abiding peace that comes from resting in Your Fatherly hand.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our glorious and victorious Savior.
Amen.
On Eagle’s Wings
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
