“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” Psalm 23:5 (NKJV)
This verse gives me peace and hope that God is always there to help me; He doesn’t wait until the storms have passed and the trouble is over; He comes in like a flood in the midst of the storm, in the midst of trouble God is there to provide what I need, what we need (You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.). God always does His best work in the midst of life’s storms (in the presence of my enemies). He works more powerfully while our enemies are present and we can be confident that He is not concerned by their presence and that they are most definitely concerned by His.
Oh our Father, please place a protective covering over those who are working to remove debris and restore power, Father please protect them from injury and also from the increased exposure to the virus that troubles us so. Lord, protect too those who are working to salvage what may be left of their homes, to save at least a portion of their possessions even as they are themselves devastated by their loss. Father please be especially gracious toward those who are going through this tragedy without the knowledge that Jesus is Lord, during and after the storm. May they experience the compassion and grace of those of us who know and love You, and may their hearts be changed too. Father, please strengthen the hearts and minds of those who have lost so much, even to the loss of loved ones, that they may come to know God’s presence and peace in their lives. Lord God, please don’t allow us to miss this great opportunity to “be” the Church, to consider others needs before our own, and to be witnesses for Jesus Christ wherever we go. For those of us who were spared, I thank you God for your mercy and grace, may we consider what You have saved us from and be grateful. I love You Lord, we love You Lord, now, may the Peace of God, the Love of Jesus Christ, and the Power of the Holy Spirit, be with us all now and forever, Amen.
