In Troubled Times...

I'm troubled today. My heart aches. Deeply. I want to weep...or rage. My spirit struggles within to rest in God. To hold to His promises of care and provision. But then the sorrow hits again, and I have to stop. Regroup. Wrestle with myself and Him.

What, you may ask, triggered this battle?

A dear friend in trouble. A man of God, whom I've known most of my life, being accused of a heinous act. Falsely accused. And yet, what he's suffered at the hands of our "justice" system tears at me. Gnaws at my gut like tiny dribbles of acid.

This is so wrong.

I want God to show Himself. To bring out the truth. HIS truth. To send avenging angels upon the one who brings such lies to destroy a life devoted to faith and family. I want...

Revenge.

And even as I type that, tears sting. My throat closes.

I am ashamed.

Ashamed of my anger, though in the world's eyes, it's certainly justified. Ashamed of my thirst for this accuser's demise, though again, the world would rise up and applaud if it happened. And as much as I want to cheer on any calamity headed the accuser's way, I know I can't allow myself to do so. Because, you see, I don't belong to the world.

I belong to a Holy God, One who has called me to pray. For my friend. For his family.

And for his accuser.

I will never understand why this has come into this man's life. Why he had to be so wounded, so damaged by unfounded and unjust words. I'll never understand why some heavenly hand didn't reach down and cover him, stopping the disaster before it struck. But my understanding isn't what matters.

My obedience, however, is.

And so even as I sit here, writing this, trying to find some measure of peace, I throw myself on God's mercy. Beg Him for help. For strength. For the desire to respond as He calls, not as the world condones. Amazing, isn't it, how the world's ways appeal in the face of injustice. But true justice, justice that will stand for eternity, will come from God's hand. In His way. In His timing. Until then, we, His children, can only take our petitions to Him. Petitions for ourselves. For those falsely accused.

And for those so wounded that they let lies become truth and pain become weapons.

Please, join me in praying for this situation. Pray for this man. For his family. And for his accuser. Pray for God's will.

For that is all that will save us in whatever we face in this troubled, troubling world.

I leave you with this...

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday...

If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you...

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone...

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.

Psalm 91 selection

May it be so, Lord Jesus.

Karen