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God's Word to Our Fears.

Shelter on Sunrise Mt.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
(from Psalm 91 )


Franklin D. Roosevelt once stated his that “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” He was referring to the attack on Peral Harbor. 

For the people in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, it may well feel there is more to fear than "fear itself". 

Fear emerges also from real, even serious threats to mind, body, or spirit.

Walter Brueggemann said in a Lecture at Luther Seminary, “You gotta have a place where you process your fears, because if you don’t process your fears, they will devour you [and] they will immobilize you.”

That processing begins, I believe by speaking to the Lord saying something like: “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” knowing the Lord will provide that  safe space "under his wings." 

The process continues by naming our fears like verse 3 indicates in the "snare of the fowler", the "deadly pestilence", and the "terror of the night"

Finally, Psalm 91 provides hope when the Lord says, 

"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."

Our reassurance, our hope comes from knowing we have had a conversation with God on our journey. The world isn't any safer than before, but we know God travels with us.

For Ukraine and the surrounding countries, the world isn't any safer. 

Evil has befallen them. 

But they know and we know, the Lord is with them during this time of suffering.

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