He Reigns, He Rules!

In nightmares, I've had vivid dreams involving chase scenes reminiscent of one of the scary movies I saw as a teenager. Usually, I'm so afraid of whomever or whatever I'm running from that my feet won't move and my mouth won't scream.

Today, 1 Samuel 19 and 20 and Psalm 11 and 59 are the chapters that I read. As we learned yesterday, Jonathan, Saul's son, made a friendship pact with David. In these chapters, Saul's determination to kill David makes me think of those bad dreams I mentioned. David had done nothing to deserve Saul's wrath, yet the king attempted to execute him repeatedly, and without Jonathan's friendship and warning, he might have been successful.

Sometimes, it seems like the bad guys are in control--chasing the good guys into hiding and out of sight--but just as God was with David and knew exactly what was going on, he is still in control today. He is patiently watching, waiting, and wanting the bad guys to turn to him, but he doesn't ignore their terrible deeds--and he has promised to make all things right in His time.

There could be no more fitting way to conclude today's entry than to include Psalm 11, David's own words during his flight from Saul. These words are a healing, comforting reminder to me as I consider our world, our nation, and our situation today. God is still in control and for that, I praise him!

Psalm 11
A psalm of David.

1 I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
2 The wicked are stringing their bows
and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
at those whose hearts are right.
3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?”

4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.
6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
7 For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.

Father, thank you that you are surprised by nothing and aware of everything and forgiving beyond all comprehension. I thank you for your protection for my family and your justice for your people. In Jesus' Name. Amen.