I have had some obstacles in my life to overcome lately and it’s given me an opportunity to revisit some of my favorite scriptures. Scripture is full of wisdom and the words that have been in my heart and on my tongue lately come from Isaiah 43 and Psalms 63 and 91. I like the words of Isaiah.
- When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. -Isaiah 43:2
One of my heroes General George S. Patton loved Psalm 63.
O God, you are my God– for you I long! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, Like a land parched, lifeless, and without water. So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship! I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you! When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall. That you indeed are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek my life will come to ruin; they shall go down to the depths of the earth! They shall be handed over to the sword and become the prey of jackals! But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by the Lord shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut!
I love the words of Psalm 63 they really resonate for me. Psalm 91 uses some of the same theme and says it a slightly different way. “For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.” You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. That’s a powerful promise. Do I really live like I believed all this? Of course not, but it is the difficulties in my life which continue to bring me back to sacred scripture and its wisdom and give me the chance to live this way.
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